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The Shenandoah Valley Connectiontop 
September 11, 2020
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Tech Nite 2020 | UPDATE | Award Sponsorships Available
Tech Nite 2020 | Award Sponsorship Available
SVTC Virtual Luncheon: The State of Tech Economy (9/9)
REGISTRATION OPEN | 8th Annual Valley Business Summit (9/23)
Congressional App Challenge | For Middle & High School Students (deadline 10/19)
MACH37: Pre-Accelerator, Cyber Accelerator, and Growth Stage Accelerator
COVID-19 Business Resources, Local Open/Closed Businesses, & Other Information
Welcome New SVTC Member: Keith Waters
Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
Rocktown Tech Slack Channel Link


Date: Wed, Oct, 7 | 4:30-6:00 pm

The 'how' of this live event (with at-will networking):
  • Nominations for the 8 award categories closed in April 2020. Nominees will be announced in Sept. 2020
  • We're hosting a remote event on Wed, Oct 7, 2020 with both live and recorded segments. There will be live networking in a virtual platform (REMO) that allows all users to move around at will, e.g. join people at tables and move on when they are ready. Networking will be at will and in small groups. To maximize networking, all attendees will create a virtual profile/ "business card" (which is what other attendees will see, and can engage with) before the event. (This is not like a Zoom breakout room.)
  • We will have an award ceremony as always: 8 awards, 8 presenters, nominees, and then the announcement of the winners. The Serco People's Choice Award will be voted on via social voting (with a hashtag) before and during the event and the winner will be announced in the last segment of Tech Nite, as always.
  • Time of day: 4:30 pm (doors open at 4 pm). Length: 1.5 hrs. Date: Oct. 7, 2020
  • Number of attendees: we believe we will have as many or maybe even more than in other years. It's so easy to attend remotely, everyone is now used to it.
  • Alas, everyone will have to coordinate their own desert! If anyone is thinking of a watch party - let us know!! (Should we stream it live to Facebook or YouTube?)
  • Reservations will open Sept 15.
  • What is REMO? Glad you asked! Check out the platform (YouTube). (We will use Remo with the facilitation of eSAX)

About Tech Nite

Tech Nite is the premier tech-centric event in the Valley.  Tech users and creators gather to honor and recognize the area's technology innovators. This recognition helps organizations and individuals immensely - the winning organization is able to expand its network, attract employees, and obtain publicity inside and often outside of the local region. Tech Nite allows attendees to witness the successes and innovative progression of the Shenandoah Valley. The recognition helps organizations and individuals immensely - the winning organization is able to expand its network, attract employees, and obtain publicity inside and often outside of the local region. 

Tech Nite allows attendees to witness the successes and innovative progression of the Shenandoah Valley. Lastly, we get to publicize the region's successes widely!

Questions? Send us a note at [email protected].


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One rare sponsorship opportunity is available!

This year we are able to offer one award sponsorship. Award sponsorships are the most valuable opportunities we can offer for our event and come around very rarely. Benefits include a high visibility, 10 guests from your organization, and NAMING RIGHTS to the award! The available award sponsorship is the Innovation in K-12 Education Award. 

The Innovation in K-12 Education Award is given to an educator or program in K-12 that provides exceptional technology leadership, innovative use and/or development of technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math. All the benefits and cost in one place: SVTC Tech Nite sponsorships (PDF).

Interested? Please contact Nicky at [email protected]

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On Wednesday, September 9, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council held a virtual luncheon titled "State of the Tech Economy" by Fletcher Mangum of Mangum Economics. For those who were unable to attend our luncheon, we have posted a recording and encourage those interested to take a look.

The link to the video is located on our website at https://svtc-va.org/luncheon-presentations/, so anyone can reference back anytime. While you're there, feel free to browse other past presentations!

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Registration is now open for the 8th annual Valley Business Summit! This year, the Valley Business Summit will be held virtually. Please see the agenda below:

9:30 am - 10:00 am
Agency Slide Show and Informal Networking on Zoom


10:00 am - 10:30 am 
Updates on GoVA, REBUILD! VA, Workforce Development, and Economic Development


10:30 am - 11:30 am 
Legislative Panel


Register the Annual Valley Business Summit at https://tinyurl.com/VBSummit20


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The Congressional App Challenge, the official student coding competition of the U.S. House of Representatives, is an initiative encouraging American students to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science through a series of district-specific competitions. Over 250 Members of Congress have already signed on to host App Challenges in their districts, several of which are within the Shenandoah Valley.

Students can use any programming language and any platform. There are no limits on application theme or topic. To be eligible to participate in the Congressional App Challenge, students must be a middle or high school student at the time of app submission. Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. No more than four students are allowed to form a team. Students may compete in the district they reside in or the district they attend school in. View the rules for participating


Students can only submit apps to the Congressional App Challenge if their Member of Congress has signed up to host a contest in their district. You can view participating districts at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/participating-districts/.

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MACH37: Pre-Accelerator,
Cyber Accelerator, and Growth Stage Accelerator 
 
MACH37™ is a start-up accelerator designed to facilitate the creation of the next generation of cyber product companies. This year they will offering a pre-accelerator and growth stage accelerator. 

MACH37 Cyber Pre-Accelerator
Not quite ready for the pressure test of a fast paced accelerator? Not sure how to get your company ready to accelerate?

MACH37 now offers a pre-accelerator option to help you reach the point where your company can realize the most benefit from an accelerator experience. This program focuses on business fundamentals to include:
  • Creating Your Vision - Understanding more deeply why you started your company, what outcomes you seek and the meaning of success
  • Value Proposition - Achieving product-market fit, the value you propose to deliver meets the needs and demands of customers in the marketplace
  • Company Formation - Best practices for setting up your company to do business
  • Building Your Team - How to hire for a winning team
  • Wellbeing - Orientation to the wellbeing of entrepreneurs
More information at https://www.mach37.com/preaccelerator

MACH37 Cyber Accelerator
MACH37Ⓡ runs a 12 week accelerator program for early stage startup companies who are developing cyber related products and services and are ready to take their business to the next level through expanding their networks, learning key business approaches and seeking investment.  Beyond cyber security, MACH37 seeks companies who specialize in artificial Intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, quantum computing and encryption, space, cyber physical systems, Internet of things, industrial controls and other cyber related areas.  The pillars of the MACH37 program include:
  • Agile Entrepreneurship - Fostering entrepreneurship and methods of innovation at the speed of business, with heavy emphasis on the Lean Startup methodology
  • Bridging Ecosystems - Connecting partners across ecosystems, sectors, organizations and people
  • Problem Solving - Filling the critical need for viable solutions to the world's most pressing problems
  • Tech Discovery - Identifying over-the-horizon technology and trends in cyber sectors
  • - Building the wellbeing of our founders, teams and community members to foster richer experiences, partnerships and outcomes.
More information at https://www.mach37.com/

MACH37 Growth Stage Accelerator
Growth stage for any startup can be tough.  MACH37 is currently piloting growth stage company acceleration for cyber startups who are pushing through the next level.  This program is customized per company around their specific needs and leverages MACH37 resources to assist with:
  • Establishing Culture
  • Leadership & Management Skills
  • Running Your Business
  • Expanding Your Customer Set
  • Scaling Your Solution
  • Securing the Next Rounds of Financing
More information at https://www.mach37.com/growth-stageaccelerator

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COVID-19 Resources & Local Open/Closed Businesses
 
During this uncertain time, we feel the need to share information that will help our readers monitor the current situation. Below we have linked several resources. 

Get the COVIDWISE app at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/

We also recommend you take a look at the following article providing additional COVID-19 resources for economic development planning and recoveryhttps://restoreyoureconomy.org/

Resources to monitor COVID-19 updates:
Open/closed businesses (& altered hours of operations) in the Shenandoah Valley:
Broadband Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Virginian's ability to work, access healthcare and education, and has magnified the digital divide more than ever before. The Commonwealth Connect team has launched a webpage to provide information about what both the federal government and Virginia's ISPs are doing in response to the crisis. Please see: https://www.commonwealthconnect.virginia.gov/COVID-19

Local City & County Recovery Funding
  • Rockingham County Small Business Grant Program: This program can assist a small business with cash needed for working capital to support rent or mortgage payments, utility, payroll, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business through the pandemic. 
  • Staunton Downtown Development Association "Better Together" Grants: "Better Together" grants will be awarded to Downtown Service District (DSD) businesses who join forces to develop new products and services in the wake of COVID-19. Grant dollars will aid businesses in covering the costs of advertising, marketing, or promotions of their newly created products and combined services. This is a rolling grant with multiple periods of availability.
Business Resources
  • SBA's Disaster Loan is a program designed to help small businesses and non-profit organizations meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot otherwise be met as a direct result of COVID-19. The SV SBDC provides information and assistance in the loan preparation documents. To learn how to apply for the SBA EIDL: Economic Injury Disaster Loan. For assistance from the SVSBDC to apply see here: valleysbdc.org/covid-19.
  • Status of Building Officials' offices across the Commonwealth on VBCOA website
  • Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationCOVID-19 Update Page outlines regulated non-essential businesses that most close 
  • FEMA has a page on HOW TO HELP that gives contact information producing COVID-19 related products.  *Contact the SBDC office if you want more detail on the challenges of creating/manufacturing personal protective products, and we'll put you in touch with our International Trade Manager and other subject matter experts.
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Welcome New SVTC Member! 
Keith Waters

Keith currently works for BidWrangler in Harrisonburg, VA. There he's helping build amazing software for auctioneers.
 
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join_our_team_sign.jpg
  • Electronics Technician, VIRTEX | Waynesboro
  • Solder Technician, VIRTEX | Waynesboro
  • Information Technology Specialist III, Western State Hospital | Staunton
  • Tech Lead, Generate Impact | Harrisonburg 
  • IT Operations Technician, Segra | Waynesboro
  • Systems Analyst/Developer, Augusta County Service Authority | Verona
GOT ADDITIONAL JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED? SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
 
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Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)

Currently there are 18 channels and over 450 members. Sign-up

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SVTC MEMBERS INVITATION: DISPLAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Membership Badge Available 
 
Use our new graphic on your own website (and remember to link back to our website www. svtc-va.org!) 

Choose the graphic file of your choice:

Let us know when you incorporate this graphic and we'll mention your site in return!


Examples:
See how our Level I Members grep Innovation, LLC displayed our membership badge on their website!

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The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council does not endorse the companies, organizations, teams, or events mentioned, or take a stand on any of the articles or notices or events included.
 

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800 S. Main Street MSC 3615
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
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