From emerging startups and defense innovation to groundbreaking research and education, nine awards recognize the people and organizations moving the region forward.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The people and companies shaping the future of Hampton Roads took center stage Thursday, October 29, as Innovate Hampton Roads hosted 757 TechNite 2026 at The Dome by Rutter Mills in Virginia Beach.
Presented by JPMorganChase, the annual celebration recognized nine winners across categories spanning entrepreneurship, technology, defense, education, government and regional leadership.
Among this year’s honorees were NASA Langley Research Center, WHRO Education, defense contractor Regulus and emerging companies Iron Sheepdog and VroomBrick. Brothers Benjamin and Randolph Hoover of XKIG earned Entrepreneur of the Year honors, while longtime regional innovation champion John Lawson received the John “Dubby” Wynne Regional Innovation Champion Award.
The event brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators and technology professionals from across Hampton Roads, highlighting a regional innovation economy that extends well beyond any single industry.
The evening also featured a live performance by Williamsburg native and platinum-selling country music artist Canaan Smith, bringing a hometown connection to a celebration of regional talent.
Meet the 2026 757 TechNite Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winners — Benjamin Hoover and Randolph Hoover, XKIG
Sponsored by KPMG
The brothers behind XKIG earned Entrepreneur of the Year honors, recognizing their leadership in building and growing a business headquartered in Hampton Roads.
Finalists
- Jim Funari, StratusLIVE
- Benjamin Hoover and Randolph Hoover, XKIG
- Tara Ramsey, Instant Systems
757CIO Technical Executive of the Year
Winner — Matthew Lemma
Sponsored by Bloom Technology Partners
The award recognizes exceptional leadership in the use of technology to advance organizational objectives, drive innovation and deliver meaningful business results.
Finalists
- Robert Steffler
- Matthew Lemma
Emerging Company
Winner — Iron Sheepdog
Sponsored by Eide Bailly
Iron Sheepdog earned the Emerging Company Award, recognizing its growth and contributions to innovation within its industry.
Finalists
- AREMCO
- Iron Sheepdog
- Radian Forge
Technical Achievement in Government
Winner — Mid Atlantic Tech Bridge
Sponsored by Fulton Bank
The Mid Atlantic Tech Bridge received the award for Technical Achievement in Government, recognizing its contributions to advancing technology and innovation in support of government missions.
Finalists
- City of Virginia Beach AI Operations
- Mid Atlantic Tech Bridge
- City of Chesapeake Information Technology
Innovation in Education
Winner — WHRO Education
Sponsored by Old Dominion University
WHRO Education received the Innovation in Education Award, recognizing its work to advance learning through technology, educational programming and innovative approaches to reaching students and educators.
Finalists
- The AI Collective Hampton Roads
- EdLogics
- Karen Sanzo, ODU Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity
- WHRO Education
Advancement in Defense Contracting
Winner — Regulus
Sponsored by Valor Cybersecurity
Regulus earned the Advancement in Defense Contracting Award, recognizing its contributions to technology, innovation and the defense industry.
Finalists
- C2 Technologies
- CORE Services Group
- Octaris
- Regulus
Startup to Watch
Winner — VroomBrick
Sponsored by REaKTOR
VroomBrick was named the 2026 Startup to Watch, recognizing its potential for growth and impact as part of Hampton Roads’ expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Finalists
- Index Health Tech
- SalesE
- VroomBrick
Dan Bell Innovative Tech Builder Award
Winner — NASA Langley Research Center
Sponsored by Marathon Consulting
NASA Langley Research Center received the Dan Bell Innovative Tech Builder Award, recognizing its contributions to research, technology development and innovation.
Named in honor of Dan Bell, a longtime advocate for the Hampton Roads technology community, the award celebrates organizations carrying forward a legacy of advancing technology and creating opportunities for innovation.
Finalists
- Jefferson Lab
- NASA Langley Research Center
- ReAlta Life Sciences
John “Dubby” Wynne Regional Innovation Champion
Winner — John Lawson
Sponsored by Williams Mullen
John Lawson received the John “Dubby” Wynne Regional Innovation Champion Award, recognizing his contributions to strengthening Hampton Roads through leadership, collaboration and long-term commitment to the region.
Named in honor of John “Dubby” Wynne, the award celebrates individuals whose influence extends beyond individual organizations and helps create a stronger, more connected regional innovation economy.
Finalists
- Jay Bernas
- Nancy Grden
- John Lawson
A Celebration of Hampton Roads Innovation
While nine winners took home awards, the evening represented a much broader story about the region.
The finalists included established companies, early-stage startups, public institutions, defense organizations and individuals working to develop new technologies, create businesses and strengthen the local economy.
Their work reflects the breadth of innovation taking place across Hampton Roads, from advances in aerospace research and military technology to business software, education and entrepreneurship.
The event also provided an opportunity for the region’s innovation community to come together, connecting people who are often working toward similar goals across different industries and cities.
Canaan Smith Brings the Music Home
The evening extended beyond the awards with a live performance by country music artist Canaan Smith.
A Williamsburg native, Smith built a national career as a recording artist and songwriter, reaching No. 1 with his platinum-selling hit “Love You Like That.”
His songwriting credits include Tyler Hubbard’s No. 1 hit “Park,” Love and Theft’s Top 10 hit “Runaway” and Jason Aldean’s “Black Tears.”
His return to Hampton Roads brought another dimension to an evening celebrating the people who started in this region and are making an impact well beyond it.
The Organizations Supporting 757 TechNite
757 TechNite 2026 was organized by Innovate Hampton Roads and presented by JPMorganChase.
Virginia Beach Economic Development and The HIVE served as venue sponsors, supporting the event at The Dome by Rutter Mills.
The nine award categories were supported by organizations committed to recognizing innovation and strengthening the regional business community.
Award sponsors included KPMG, Bloom Technology Partners, Eide Bailly, Fulton Bank, Old Dominion University, Valor Cybersecurity, REaKTOR, Marathon Consulting and Williams Mullen.
Together, these organizations helped make it possible to recognize the companies and individuals whose work continues to shape the region’s future.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 edition of 757 TechNite continued a tradition of recognizing the people and organizations contributing to Hampton Roads’ growing innovation ecosystem.
For the winners, the awards represent recognition from a regional community of peers, business leaders and innovators.
For Hampton Roads, the collection of finalists and honorees offers a broader picture of the talent, technologies and entrepreneurial activity already taking place throughout the region.
And while the spotlight belonged to nine winners Thursday evening, their achievements are part of a much larger story about where Hampton Roads is headed.
Learn more about the region’s innovation community at Innovate757.org.
