By Tim Ryan
The entrepreneurial spirit of Hampton Roads burned bright on June 19, 2025, as 757 Collab hosted its electrifying Hampton Roads Startup Celebration at Nauticus in Norfolk. With over 150 innovators, founders, investors, and community leaders in attendance, the event was a vibrant testament to our region’s growing status as a hub for bold ideas and daring ventures. For the Innovate Hampton Roads community, this night was more than a celebration—it was a call to action to fuel the future of innovation right here in Virginia’s coastal heartland.
The spotlight shone on Cohort 8 of 757 Accelerate, 757 Collab’s premier 9-week investor-readiness program. This diverse group of startups—Enrichly, Earnest Agriculture, PopCheck Technologies, Knope, VroomBrick, and Healthy Hip Hop— showcased groundbreaking ideas in agriculture, education, healthcare, real estate, and consumer awareness. Each pitch crackled with potential, but it was VroomBrick, a Reaktor portfolio company revolutionizing the real estate buying and selling process, that stole the show, clinching the Community Choice Award for their dynamic pitch. Their success underscores the kind of game-changing innovation Hampton Roads is nurturing.
The evening wasn’t just about Cohort 8. Startups from 757 Startup Studios, Black Brand, and Kempsville High School’s Entrepreneurial Program joined the mix, proving that our ecosystem thrives on collaboration across all levels. Brian Owens, Black Brand’s Program Manager, delivered a rousing keynote that lit up the crowd, while Dr. Charles Corprew, 757 Collab’s Head of Programming, emceed with infectious passion. Ecosystem partners like the Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium, Norfolk Innovation Corridor, and Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center were celebrated for their unwavering support in elevating our region’s entrepreneurial profile.
For Innovate Hampton Roads’ audience, this event signals endless opportunities. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious, our region is buzzing with ways to get involved. 757 Collab is connecting visionaries with incubation, acceleration, and capital—resources that can turn your ideas into reality. Want to dive deeper? Mark your calendars for the Startup World Cup on August 21 and Innovate757 TechNite on October 9, both hosted by Innovate Hampton Roads. These events are your chance to witness and shape the future of our vibrant ecosystem.
Hampton Roads is no longer just a coastal gem—it’s a launchpad for world-changing ideas. Join us, and let’s keep the momentum soaring. Don’t miss out on key business events, local success stories, and expert insights—subscribe to This Week in 757 and stay ahead in Hampton Roads’ innovation and business community. https://bit.ly/twi757newsletter
Download the press release here.
