StartWheel Corp. and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative have merged to form Innovate Hampton Roads, a new body aimed at supporting and expanding the area’s innovation ecosystem. The two organizations, known for their work in connecting entrepreneurs and advancing the technology sector in the region, have been collaborating to unify the region’s entrepreneurial and business landscapes. As Innovate Hampton Roads, they plan to connect businesses at every stage of growth, creating a unified voice for the region’s business community. The ultimate goal of this merger is to strengthen the regional economy and raise awareness of business opportunities in the area.
Introduction
From Inside Business By Inside Business staff
Formation of Innovate Hampton Roads
StartWheel Corp. and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative have combined to form Innovate Hampton Roads to better support and grow the region’s innovation ecosystem, leaders announced May 18.
Background of StartWheel and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative
StartWheel, which launched in late 2015, has helped to better connect regional entrepreneurs by sharing information and resources through its website, newsletter, job posting service, and podcast.
Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative, which launched in 2016 as a rebrand of Technology Hampton Roads, is known for its networking events like its Tech Tuesday education series and Critical Mass meetups and its focus on advancing the region’s technology sector.
Partnership and Initiatives
The organizations have been partnering over the past few months to unify the region’s entrepreneurial and business footprints. They’ve hosted HR Bizwheel Quarterly Expos to bring the business community to unique places of business, like The Hive in Virginia Beach or The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News. They’ve helped participants learn from Virginia Beach-based DroneUp, which is helping Walmart implement drone delivery, and Newport News Shipbuilding, a longtime major employer and legacy innovator.
Transition to Innovate Hampton Roads
StartWheel, a nonprofit organization, will be the surviving entity and will be renamed Innovate Hampton Roads. Tim Ryan, the director of StartWheel, will continue as the executive director of Innovate Hampton Roads.
Unified Efforts and Goals
“Until now, our business community was essentially a siloed effort,” Ryan said. “The creation of Innovate Hampton Roads will connect early-stage businesses, growth-stage companies, and companies operating at scale to create a unified voice without duplicating any existing efforts. We all need each other to grow and compete with other regions.”
Leadership and Future Plans
The boards of the two organizations will be combined. Initially, Paul Hirschbiel, chairman of StartWheel, will continue as chairman and Dan Bell, current chairman of HRIC, will serve as vice chairman.
The goal is to continue raising awareness of opportunities that exist for business in the region, Bell said.
“It is our hope that this effort is a significant step forward making Hampton Roads a more well-known national and, perhaps, even international entity. The ultimate goal is for us to have a stronger regional economy,” he added.
Question & Answer
What is Innovate Hampton Roads?
Innovate Hampton Roads is a new body formed by the merger of StartWheel Corp. and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative. It aims to support and expand the area’s innovation ecosystem.
What were StartWheel and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative known for?
StartWheel was known for connecting regional entrepreneurs through its website, newsletter, job posting service, and podcast. Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative focused on networking events and advancing the region’s technology sector.
What are the goals of Innovate Hampton Roads?
The goal of Innovate Hampton Roads is to connect businesses at every stage of growth, creating a unified voice for the region’s business community. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the regional economy and raise awareness of business opportunities in the area.
