Our Mission

At Innovate Hampton Roads, our mission is to centralize and mobilize efforts that foster the growth of entrepreneurism in our regional innovation economy. We aim to guide and cultivate an entrepreneurial network where talent, resources information and leadership come together.

Building an Innovation Economy

We are building an ecosystem here in HRVA focused on growing, guiding and connecting entrepreneurs in order to build a stronger and more innovative economy in our region.

Inclusivity & Interconnection

It’s time to collectively stand this up and speak with one resounding voice to help draw attention to and streamline these efforts to benefit the entire region: aspiring entrepreneurs, students, employees, and existing businesses alike.

The Innovate Hampton Roads Community

Our ecosystem is comprised of investors, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, mentors, universities/colleges, corporate partners, talent resources, media & marketing partners, culture & community partners and more.

Executive Director

Tim Ryan
Tim RyanExecutive Director

Board of Directors

Paul Hirshbiel
Paul HirshbielChair, Innovate Hampton Roads
Dan Bell
Dan BellVice Chair, Innovate Hampton Roads
Blair Durham
Blair DurhamPresident and Co-Founder, Black BRAND
Nancy Grden
Nancy GrdenPresident & CEO, Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable
Alan Hagerman
Alan HagermanVice President TerraVision, Inc.
Conaway Haskins
Conaway HaskinsVice President, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems - Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp.
Mark Johnson
Mark JohnsonVice President & Community Development Manager, Truist
Mike Kuhns
Mike KuhnsRetired Executive
Kevin Leslie
Kevin LeslieAVP, Innovation and Commercialization | ODU
Tom Marsden
Tom MarsdenVice President at Marathon Consulting
Paul Nolde
Paul NoldeManaging Director, 757 Collab
John Paris
John ParisPartner, Williams Mullen
A.K. Schultz
A.K. SchultzCo-Founder & CEO SVT Robotics
Jolie Spiers
Jolie SpiersExecutive Director at Small Business Development Center
Derrick Williams
Derrick WilliamsCox Virginia Government Affairs & Public Relations