This Week in 757 (Happenings) Aug 15, 2025

A recap of the week’s biggest success stories, and insights from local entrepreneurs.

Author

Innovate 757
August 15, 2025

Need a Ticket? We’ve Got You Covered.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have a limited number of sponsored tickets available for the Startup World Cup Virginia Regional Finals.

If the $10 ticket cost is a barrier for you, just reply to this email. No questions asked — we’ll add you to the list, first come, first served.

We don’t want anyone to miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.

LOCAL HEADLINES

Meet the Judges for the 2025 Startup World Cup Virginia Regional Finals

On October 16 and 17, 2025, Norfolk’s NEON District will explode with energy, transforming streets into canvases of art, music, fashion, and immersive experiences. For the 10th anniversary, presented by Arts Alliance and PRA Group, DNC has curated a killer lineup of over 15 local producers, selected through a public RFP and backed by programming grants. For sponsorship deets, hit up Emily Shield at DNC (757-623-1757). Read More ➜

Rubin Education’s Homeschool Leap: Hampton Roads Innovator Bridges Gaps in Career Readiness Nationwide

Rubin Education’s journey—from local startup to national player partnering with giants like Rainbow Resource—proves what’s possible when innovation meets persistence. This isn’t just Rubin’s win; it’s ours. As we continue to tell the stories of Hampton Roads’ trailblazers, partnerships like this remind us that our region is a launchpad for world-changing ideas. Read More ➜

Waves of Opportunity: Land ’N’ Sea’s Norfolk Expansion Signals a New Chapter for Hampton Roads

The deal was not a lucky accident, but the result of intentional, coordinated effort among public, private, and civic players…Backed by collaboration between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the City of Norfolk, and the Hampton Roads Alliance, this project is a statement of confidence in the region’s talent, location, and future. Read More ➜

B-Force Accelerator | Now accepting applications!

Description:
A 12-week intensive for black and latinx businesses that are at least 2 years old to prepare them for capital access.

The Info Sessions for the new cohort of B-Force Accelerator will occur at Black BRAND Headquarters in Norfolk, every Tuesday in August at 6pm.

Click the REGISTRATION LINK for more info.

FOUNDERS

Dive into Startup Virginia’s Idea Factory and Fuel Hampton Roads’ Innovation Boom

This seven-week hybrid program, running from October 6 to November 18, 2025, dives deep into customer discovery—the secret sauce for building businesses that stick. By honing your communication skills, you’ll ask the right questions and build lasting relationships—essential in a collaborative region like ours. Your idea could be the next success that puts our region on the map. Let’s keep the innovation fire burning—apply today and let’s build the future together! Read More ➜

Hampton Roads Founders and Universities Set to Benefit from Virginia’s First-of-its-Kind Startup Initiative

With the new Virginia Fast-Track License, researchers and entrepreneurs can now take an idea off the whiteboard and into the market without the months—or years—of negotiation that used to slow them down. If we seize this moment, the next decade could see Hampton Roads not just keeping our brightest graduates, but also drawing even more talent in to the region. Read More ➜

FERVENT FOUR
From Defense to Digital Health Using AI to Save Veteran Lives
https://youtu.be/YUkiEhyUTOE 

Major Takeaways

  • Identify and leverage available resources and ecosystems to accelerate business growth and avoid the pitfalls of isolation.

  • Utilize AI and edge technology to create proactive mental health solutions that operate passively and protect user privacy.

  • Focus on solving significant, impactful problems that resonate personally, such as veteran suicide, to drive meaningful change and innovation.


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