Innovate Hampton Roads

Geeks at a Bar- Peninsula Happy Hour
2026-03-24 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Marketplace at Tech Center, 12090 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA, 23606, United States
Do you work with technology or for a tech company? Do you speak geek? Come network with other technology industry workers for a casual, conversational happy hour.

Beyond the Buyer Persona: Mastering your Ideal Client
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Most startup founders navigate their growth using a paper map—they filter for job titles and industries, then wonder why their “perfect” leads aren’t biting. In 2026, a job title is just a coordinate; it doesn’t tell you the weather, the current, or if the fish are even there.
​In this high-impact session, we’re moving past static personas and into dynamic ICPs. We’ll show you how to stop “sailing blind” by using:
​🔍 The Paper Map (Searchable Layer): The objective filters you use to build your list (Industry, Stage, Title).
​🧠 The Deep-Sea Sonar (Learnable Layer): The hidden psychological traits you need to earn (Motivations, Buying Behavior, Risk Tolerance).
​🧭 The Tactical Compass (The Bridge): The system for translating those deep “pings” into “clues” you can actually find and act on.

​Stop guessing and start navigating. We’ll cover how to find this data, how to verify it through behavior, and why speaking where your audience already hangs out beats screaming into the void.

🧜‍♀️ AICHR | Connections & (grocery) carts
2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Wegmans Cafe, 4721 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, US
Meet people and pick up your weekly groceries.
🤝 A casual networking hangout in the grocery store cafe
Chats, connections, & grocery carts is a relaxed, social-first networking event for curious, friendly people across Hampton Roads who enjoy good conversation and knocking out life errands at the same time.
This is not a lecture.
This is not a pitch night.
And you definitely do not need to “prepare” anything.
It is simply a low-pressure space to meet new people, have real conversations, and casually connect while wandering the aisles and picking up your weekly groceries.
Whether you are deeply into AI and automation, adjacent to tech and creativity, or just someone who enjoys thoughtful conversations with interesting humans, you belong here.
✨ What to expect
– Casual, open networking with a mix of builders, creatives, technologists, founders, students, and professionals
– Easy, organic conversations while shopping at your own pace
– Light, optional conversation prompts to help break the ice if you want them
– No presentations, no panels, no pressure to “network correctly”
– A friendly, welcoming environment for all backgrounds and experience levels
– Come as you are. Grab a cart or a basket. Pick up dinner for the week. – – Meet a few new people along the way.
👥 Who should attend
Chats, Connections, & Grocery Carts is for:
People who enjoy meeting others without forced networking vibes
Builders, creatives, technologists, and curious minds
AI, automation, no-code, and tech-adjacent folks
Students and career switchers exploring what is next
Founders, consultants, operators, and professionals
Anyone who likes good conversation and low-stakes socializing
If you enjoy thoughtful chats and meeting people in unexpected places, you will fit right in.
🏪 Why a grocery store
You were probably going to the store anyway.
Hosting this event in a grocery store keeps things human, practical, and approachable. It removes the pressure of traditional networking and turns it into something simple, efficient, and a little fun.
Two errands. One cart.
💡 Why this event exists
Community grows best in relaxed, everyday spaces.
Chats, Connections, & Grocery Carts exists to create an easy, human-centered way for people to connect without titles, talks, or expectations. It is about building relationships, sharing ideas naturally, and strengthening the local community one conversation at a time.
Come say hi. Leave with groceries. Make a few new connections along the way.
ℹ️ Other bits of info & FAQs

This is a free community event
Drinks or food are available for purchase depending on the venue
Photos or videos may be taken for community and marketing purposes
Come solo or bring a friend
​​​​Is there free parking in the area? Yes. Wegman’s has got lots of spots available in their many parking lots.
​​​Is this free? Yes, but space is limited. Make sure to RSVP.

🤝 Organizers & partners
Organizers
The AI Collective Hampton Roads
​Platinum partners
TechArk
Regent University
ECPI University
Hampton Roads Chamber Foundation
Bronze partners
Assembly
757 Collab
🌍 ​Our parent org
The AI Collective is a global non-profit community uniting 150,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective agree to our privacy policy and are subject to our code of conduct. Additionally, by registering for this event, you agree to The AI Collective Hampton Roads chapter photo & video policy.

Norfolk Kick Back at Glass Light
2026-03-26 21:30 - 23:30 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Kick back at The Glass Light Hotel with the city’s top creatives and innovators and enjoy music from a Governor’s School for the Arts student guitarist. This event series is designed to bring together vibrant spaces, inspiring people, and authentic interactions that ignite fresh ideas and new opportunities.This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Drinks will be available for purchase. – https://norfolkinnovation.com/event/norfolk-kick-back-march-2026/

Topic Talk - Customer Discovery in Practice: Turning Conversations into Insight
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Tribe Square Entrepreneurship Hub, 249 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, US
Join Erik Berg for Customer Discovery in Practice: Turning Conversations into Insight. Drawing on his experience as a Senior Product Manager at Capital One and his MBA from the Wharton School, Erik will share actionable approaches for uncovering customer needs, testing assumptions, and translating real conversations into meaningful product insights.
Hub Topic Talks is a platform where entrepreneurs share their remarkable journeys and their acquired industry expertise. These thought-provoking talks delve into specific industry-level topics, offering not only deep insights and wisdom but also tangible action steps. Be inspired by the stories of those who have navigated the entrepreneurial landscape with degrees of failure and success. Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry experts and uncover the keys to success at Hub Talks! Attend in person at the Hub or virtually via Zoom!

WAV (We Are Visionaries) Hackathon
2026-03-27 13:00 - 2026-03-28 00:00, 2026-03-28 13:00 - 19:00 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Come out for a 48-hour collaborative design and tech challenge where students and teams build creative solutions for social issues in the Hampton Roads region. Participants will prototype web apps, tools, or tech concepts, grow their skills, and connect with fellow innovators. Hosted by the Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals, this beginner-friendly event empowers you to turn bold ideas into real impact. – https://wav-hackathon.devpost.com/

Norfolk.js: jj - version control for the modern dev
2026-03-30 22:30 - 2026-03-31 00:00 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Come out for an evening with local developer Cleo as he introduces Jujutsu (jj)—an up-and-coming version control system designed to simplify and streamline your workflow. Built on top of Git, jj makes it easy to enhance (or replace) your existing Git process while keeping the same powerful backend. All skill levels welcome! – https://www.meetup.com/norfolkjs/events/313651450/?eventOrigin=your_events

Start, Grow, Thrive: "Contracting 101" Government & Commercial
2026-04-01 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 11850 Merchants Walk Suite 110, Newport News, VA 23606, Newport News, VA, 23606, US
ABOUT THE START, GROW, THRIVE SERIES Monthly seminars for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Typically held on the first Wednesday from 9:00 – 10:30 am at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber Regional Conference Center.
Members: Free | Non-Members: $15

State of Innovation Address
2026-04-01 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | The Mariners’ Museum and Park, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA, 23606, United States
What if the Unicorn everyone’s been searching for has been sitting in front of us the entire time – and we just haven’t been able to see it?

The State of Innovation Address, powered by Innovate Hampton Roads, is a story-driven snapshot of how Hampton Roads is actively building the future — from deep space to deep sea — and how those efforts connect.
This is a curated look at the real innovation already in motion across the region, much of it happening quietly inside organizations shaping the future at a national and global level. For the first time, those dots are connected into one cohesive narrative.
The inaugural event takes place April 1, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at The Mariners’ Museum and Park. This is a focused midday lunch event designed to be worth stepping away from the office for. Lunch is included. Tickets are $45.

Assembly Community Blood Drive
2026-04-01 13:00 - 18:00 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Come together to save lives, share hope, and be a vital part of the heartbeat of compassion. We’re teaming up with our local Red Cross to help with the ongoing blood shortages in our community. Please reserve your appointment online. – https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=assemblynfk

Networking Happy Hour with Jake Maines
2026-04-01 17:00 - 20:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Aslin Beer Company, 823 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451, US
Voted Best Networking Event In The 757

Come eat, drink, & mingle!
Networking Happy Hour is a low-key, no agenda, meet new people/catch up with old friends-type of event.
Swing by anytime between 5 & 8 p.m. for a few minutes or the whole time!
More info about the events can be found at http://networkinghh.com/.

Startup Meet-Up: Students & Startups in Conversation
2026-04-01 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Sadler Center, 200 Stadium Dr, Williamsburg, Virginia
The Career Development & Professional Engagement, Graduate Career Management Center, and the W&M Entrepreneurship Hub invite you to the Startup Meet-Up—an evening designed to spark real opportunities.
The Startup Meet-Up brings students, alumni, startups, and small businesses together for focused, small-group conversations centered on action. Using a structured, roundtable-style format, founders rotate among tables for short, high-energy discussions on skills, interests, and real opportunities—including internships, micro-internships, project-based work, and early-career roles.
Whether you’re exploring what’s next, looking to apply your skills in a real-world setting, or building something and seeking motivated talent, this event is designed to help conversations turn into momentum.
You don’t need a polished pitch or a perfect résumé. Bring your curiosity, your skills, and a willingness to engage. Opportunities often start with one good conversation.
For Startups, Small Businesses, and Ventures: Meet motivated W&M talent from across disciplines and share what you’re working on now. Come prepared to discuss real needs, projects, or roles where students and alums can contribute and grow.
For Students and Attendees:
Explore where your skills fit, practice talking about what you can offer, and discover opportunities you won’t find on a job board—no prior startup experience required.
Advance registration is required. Space is limited.
Sponsored by: Career Development & Professional Engagement | Graduate Career Management Center | W&M Entrepreneurship Hub

Late Night Builders
2026-04-02 21:00 - 2026-04-03 00:00 (America/Halifax) | Buffalo Wild Wings, 101 S Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, US
Can’t sleep? Up late tinkering on a project? Or can’t make the usual meetups till the kids are in bed?
Late Night Builders is a monthly hangout for builders, tinkerers, and the generally curious. Developers, designers, AI enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, hobbyists — if you make things or want to start, you’ll fit in.
Bring something you’re working on, pick someone’s brain, or just show up for cheap wings and good conversation. No agenda, no presentations, no networking cringe.
Anyone is welcome at any experience level. Bring your laptop, bring a friend, or just bring yourself.

🧜‍♀️ AICHR | Late Night Builders
2026-04-02 21:00 - 2026-04-03 00:00 (America/Halifax) | Buffalo Wild Wings, 101 S Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, US
Can’t sleep? Up late tinkering on a project? Or can’t make the usual meetups till the kids are in bed?
Late Night Builders is a monthly hangout for builders, tinkerers, and the generally curious. Developers, designers, AI enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, hobbyists — if you make things or want to start, you’ll fit in.
Bring something you’re working on, pick someone’s brain, or just show up for cheap wings and good conversation. No agenda, no presentations, no networking cringe.
Anyone is welcome at any experience level. Bring your laptop, bring a friend, or just bring yourself.
FAQs
Is there free parking? Yes. There is plenty of free parking available at the location.
Is this event free? Yes. Space is limited, so please RSVP and cancel if your plans change.
🤝 Organizers & partners
Organizers
The AI Collective Hampton Roads
​Platinum partners
TechArk
Regent University
ECPI University
Hampton Roads Chamber Foundation
Retail Alliance & Retail Alliance Foundation
Bronze partners
Assembly
757 Collab
🌍 ​Our parent org
The AI Collective is a global non-profit community uniting 150,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective agree to our privacy policy and are subject to our code of conduct. Additionally, by registering for this event, you agree to The AI Collective Hampton Roads chapter photo & video policy.

First Fridays in Downtown Norfolk
2026-04-03 21:00 - 2026-04-04 00:30 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Get ready, Norfolk! DNC is excited to announce the return of First Fridays for this season! Come out for Downtown Norfolk’s favorite block party, bringing live music, local vendors, and good times to the heart of our city. – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-fridays-tickets-1364403600899?aff=oddtdtcreator

Women in Business Coffee Meetup
2026-04-07 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | The Legacy at Willow Pond, 4251 White Marsh Road, Suffolk, Virginia
Join us April 7th from 8-10 AM at The Legacy at Willow Pond in Suffolk for a morning of networking and real connection. This is an open-format event, so come whenever it works for you. No registration needed.
At 9 AM, we’ll do round-robin introductions so everyone has a chance to share what they’re working on and meet the room.

@womeninbusinesshr is a community-led support and networking group for women-owned businesses across Hampton Roads. And no, you don’t have to own a business to come. If you work for one, support one, or just want to be in the room with women building things, you’re welcome here.
We rotate locations each month to highlight incredible women-owned businesses across our area.
If you want to stay in the loop, fill out this form to be added to the email list. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aТАw7QFaE0y_GHynu0gL8Мх6С1V1cZjNGz8zX47РKkA/edit
Come as you are. Leave with connections.

Assembly Easter Egg Hunt
2026-04-08 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Let the hunt begin! Hidden eggs are tucked all around campus — filled with sweet treats, surprises, and a few special prizes. Step away from your desk, join the search, and enjoy a little friendly competition with your coworkers.

VBMBC + The HIVE: Spring Small Business Roundtable
2026-04-09 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | The HIVE by City of Virginia Beach, 140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, US
Working Smarter, Not Harder: Scaling Your Business in the Digital World
​Running a small business today means wearing many hats. The good news is you do not have to do everything the hard way.
​Join the Virginia Beach Minority Business Council and The HIVE Small Business Resource Center for an interactive session designed to help entrepreneurs understand how AI and modern digital tools can simplify operations, save time, and support sustainable growth.
​This session will introduce practical ways small business owners can use AI today. You will learn how automation and digital tools can reduce repetitive work, improve decision making, and help you focus more energy on growing your business.
​Required registration
​Registration is required to attend this event.
​Please sign up here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-mbc-spring-small-business-roundtable-tickets-1981794826675)
​Attendees who have not registered may be turned away at the event if capacity is reached.
​What you will learn
​• What AI actually means for small businesses today
​• Practical digital tools you can begin using immediately
​• How automation can reduce manual work and free up your time
​• How to take advantage of resources already available to entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads
​
Whether you are just beginning to explore digital tools or looking for smarter ways to scale your business, this event focuses on practical strategies that work in today’s fast moving business environment.
​Featured speaker
​Erin Marie
​Co-Founder & Director @ The AI Collective Hampton Roads
​AI Modernization, Automation & Strategy Consultant | Former Microsoft Technical Program Manager
​Erin Marie is a co-founder of AI Collective Hampton Roads, a regional community that brings together builders, leaders, and practitioners to explore practical and responsible applications of AI. Through workshops, hackathons, and community events, the organization helps people learn how to apply AI in ways that are useful, accessible, and human centered.
​
Prior to this work, Erin spent five years at Microsoft as a Technical Program Manager leading modernization efforts for the Windows servicing pipeline. Her work focused on system design, distributed computing, and helping organizations modernize workflows through thoughtful adoption of automation and AI.
​She is known for helping technical and non technical teams work together effectively while building systems that support both business outcomes and the people behind them.
Partnership
​This event is hosted by Virginia Beach Minority Business Council & The HIVE Small Business Resource Center of Virginia Beach, which provides education, mentoring, and resources to help entrepreneurs launch and grow successful businesses.
Parking
​Parking is available in the Red Garage. Enter on Market Street, walk around the building to 140 Independence Blvd, and enter through the front entrance.

Claude Code: From Setup to Agentic Workflows | AICHR
2026-04-09 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Online event
Claude Code: From Setup to Agentic Workflows
Hands-on with the tool that’s turning developers and power users into one-person engineering teams.
This is a live, digital-only event. No in-person attendance. Join from anywhere.
April 9, 2026 · 6:30 PM EST
AI coding assistants have been around for a while now. Most of them autocomplete your lines and call it a day. Claude Code is something different — it’s an agentic system that lives in your terminal, reads your entire codebase, executes multi-file operations, and coordinates work across sessions and sub-agents.
This session is a live, demo-driven walkthrough of Claude Code and Anthropic’s expanding agentic toolkit. We’re not talking theory. We’re opening terminals, pairing devices, and building things in real time.
Whether you’re a developer looking to 10x your workflow or a technical professional who wants to understand what agentic coding actually looks like in practice, this is the session to attend.
Join Andrew Stafford for a hands-on tour of how Claude’s tools work together to turn a single prompt into a coordinated, multi-step workflow.
🔍 What We’ll Cover
Claude Code: Setup & Core Concepts Installation, configuration, and your first agentic session. How Claude Code reads your codebase, plans changes, and executes across files — not just autocomplete, but autonomous multi-step workflows.
Tasks: From To-Dos to Orchestration How Claude Code’s Task system manages complex work with dependency graphs, filesystem persistence, and cross-session coordination. Break down big projects into parallelizable work that survives session restarts.
Cowork: Agentic Power Beyond Code Claude Code’s capabilities applied to knowledge work on your desktop. Local file access, connectors to Slack, Notion, Google Drive, and more — all running in a sandboxed VM on your machine. Live demo of real workflow automation.
Dispatch: Your Phone as a Remote Control The newest feature in the toolkit. Pair your phone to your desktop Cowork session, fire off tasks from anywhere, and come back to finished work. We’ll set it up live and put it through its paces.
The Agentic Stack: How It All Fits Together Claude Code in the terminal. Cowork on the desktop. Dispatch from your phone. Tasks coordinating across sessions. Sub-agents working in parallel. We’ll map out how these pieces connect into a unified workflow and where they’re heading.
🎙️ Your Speaker
Andrew Stafford Co-Lead of The AI Collective Hampton Roads 25+ years across technology, cloud architecture, and AI — including work with Amazon, NASA, healthcare platforms, and enterprise systems. Author of AI for Business. Currently building at the intersection of AI tooling, agentic workflows, and practical business automation.
Who should attend?

Developers and engineers who want to go beyond copilot-style autocomplete
Technical professionals curious about agentic AI workflows
Founders and operators looking to understand the productivity shift
Anyone who builds, ships, or manages software and wants to see what’s possible now

Why this matters
The gap between “AI assistant” and “AI agent” is closing fast. Claude Code doesn’t just suggest code — it plans, executes, verifies, and coordinates. Cowork extends that to knowledge work. Dispatch makes it mobile. Tasks make it persistent.
This isn’t a future roadmap talk. These tools are live, shipping, and available today. The question isn’t whether agentic workflows will change how you work — it’s how fast you’ll adopt them.
Come see what it looks like when you stop chatting with AI and start delegating to it.

Our parent org The AI Collective is a global non-profit community uniting 210,000+ pioneers – founders, researchers, operators, and investors – exploring the frontier of AI in major tech hubs worldwide. Through events, workshops, and community-led research, we empower the AI ecosystem to collaboratively steer AI’s future toward trust, openness, and human flourishing.
All attendees and organizers at events affiliated with The AI Collective are subject to our Code of Conduct.

BizConnect Member Weekly Coffee Hosted by Istoria
2026-04-10 12:30 - 13:30 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Join BizConnect members, one of the area’s best networking groups for building quality relationships, for weekly coffee hosted by Istoria this week. Come for advice from other business owners, bring guests to connect with BizConnect members, and bring ideas for partnership opportunities. It’s a great way to end the busy work week and start the weekend. – https://tockify.com/bizconnect/detail/94/1775824200000

Cybersecurity - Chesapeake Weekend Afternoon Networking (WAN)
2026-04-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | neat bird chicken, 565 Belaire Avenue, Chesapeake, 23320, United States
Attention Information Security and Cybersecurity Professionals!
Are you looking to meet new people who share your interests? Whether you’re thinking about entering cybersecurity, have recently entered the field, or are a seasoned professional, we welcome all to join us for an evening of networking, learning, and fun.
Why Attend?
Enjoy a night out at the cozy and welcoming Neat Bird in Chesapeake, where you can connect with like-minded individuals. We love bringing people together to share insights and build lasting connections. Join us for some beers—or not, if that’s your preference. Our goal is to help you forge meaningful relationships in the cybersecurity community.
About ISSA-HR
The Information Systems Security Association of Hampton Roads (ISSA-HR) hosts social events throughout the region, providing a space for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts to get together, share stories, learn new information, and meet new people. With years of cybersecurity expertise, ISSA-HR is committed to promoting the industry and nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
RSVP now and bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!

Peninsula Developers Study Group
2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Christopher Newport University, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA, 23606, US
New AI tools dropping every week. Bookmarks piling up. “To-be-studied” lists growing faster than we can read them.
Sound familiar?
Peninsula Developers Study Group is a local initiative for students and developers in the Newport News / Hampton Roads area who want to stop meaning to learn and actually do it — together.
No pressure to be an expert. No bootcamp intensity. Just a consistent habit, a room full of curious people, and the accountability that comes from showing up.
How it works
We meet every two weeks on Tuesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM at CNU. Sessions are a mix of focused study and group discussion. Topic, format, and pace adjust based on what the group needs.
Session Details
📅 Start Date: April 14th, 2026
🕚 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Christopher Newport University (room details via Slack)
🔃 Frequency: Bi-weekly (Tuesdays)
📚 First Topic: Claude 101 — AI tools, no prior experience needed
You are welcome to study something else too. The goal is the habit, not the syllabus.
To join
Fill out the form and you will receive a Slack invite with the exact room details before the session: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7mmR0I0dlreopNJNgL7mRWz5m4oZz7Ixc1g7xSrsyR_kcag/viewform?usp=dialog

Connect Coastal Virginia's Sip&Socialize Business Networking
2026-04-15 17:00 - 19:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Jimmy G’s Chop House & Bistro Bar, 3333 Virginia Beach Boulevard #UNIT 17, Virginia Beach, VA 23452, Virginia Beach, VA, 23452, US
Join Connect Coastal Virginia for our Sip & Socialize Networking Event where GovCon leaders, tech innovators and creative minds meet!

PechaKucha (PKN) Night
2026-04-15 21:30 - 23:30 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Get ready for a high-energy evening of storytelling, creativity, and rapid-fire inspiration! At PKN Night, presenters have just 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide to share their ideas, passions, or projects—no fluff, just the good stuff. Whether you’re here to speak, listen, or just soak in the vibes, come hang out and get inspired. RSVP & sign up to present on the community portal. – https://community.assemblynfk.com/en/events/view/1415671252/pechakucha-pkn-night

Brotherhood & Trust with I SEE YOU BRO
2026-04-15 23:00 - 2026-04-16 01:00 UTC | 400 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, United States
Come out for candid conversations and real talk — it’s more than just a round table, it’s a community coming together to share. This month, they’ll be discussing brotherhood and trust led by Dr. Fred Scott, PHD, LPC, NCC. – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-see-you-bro-presents-the-lab-tickets-1586608491709?aff=erelexpmlt

Who's On Your B.A.I.L. Team? Your Trusted Business Advisors!
2026-04-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Chesapeake Economic Development, 555 Belaire Avenue, Chesapeake, Virginia
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a team in place that would help you avoid troubles or assist with challenges in your business?

You Can Build the Right Team – Your B.A.I.L. Team!
Every successful business owner needs trusted advisors. Your B.A.I.L. Team includes a Banker, Accountant, Insurance Broker, and Lawyer—each playing a vital role in helping you make smart decisions as you launch or grow your business.
Banker
Your banker can guide you on the right types of business bank accounts and introduce tools and services that simplify managing your company’s finances.
Presented by Joey Barnes – Fulton Bank
Accountant
Before you even form your business, an accountant can help you evaluate projected revenue and determine the most appropriate business structure. This decision directly affects how your business is taxed.
Presented by Chelsea Torres – SBDC
Insurance Broker
An insurance broker takes the time to understand your business model, daily operations, team structure, and sales approach. They assess potential risks and identify areas where your business could face liability—ensuring you’re properly protected.
Presented by COVA Insurance
Lawyer
A lawyer advises you on business activities and potential liabilities. They help you choose the right legal structure and provide guidance on essential contracts with clients, employees, and vendors.
Presented by Savvas Daginis – Davis, Burch, Abrams Law Firm
In partnership with the City of Chesapeake Economic Development
Important Details:
• This is a live, in-person workshop and will not be recorded.
• Attendance is free; however, RSVP is required.
• Registered participants will receive a reminder prior to the event.

Startup Strategies
2026-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Topic: Start-up Assistance

Key motivations for entrepreneurship include creative freedom, control over one’s career path, the pursuit of wealth creation, and personal development.
*Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities
*Marketing strategies
*Financial resources
*Legal form of organization
*Tips to prepare & present your business plan
*Cybersecurity Tips
Ensure a strong foundation and entrepreneurial success by starting with a well-defined strategy.

Speaker(s): Lin Hite, Longwood SBDC Western Region Director
Co-Sponsor(s): LSBDC, VASBDC, GMU, SBA, GoVA
Fee: No Cost

FOCI 101 Briefing Overview for Government Contractors WEBINAR
2026-04-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
This webinar is a fast, founder- and investor-oriented introduction to how strategic competition, foreign influence, and U.S. government scrutiny increasingly intersect with advanced technology development.
The session places Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in its operational context: how states pursue access, how influence is exercised indirectly, and how early signals shape outcomes long before any formal review or enforcement action occurs.
Topics include:
-How foreign state and state-aligned actors engage U.S. innovators today, including current collection trends, indirect access strategies, and soft-power engagement across research, startup, investment, and scaling environments. This includes the periods where vulnerabilities spike.
-How FOCI is interpreted across the U.S. government, where thresholds differ between agencies (DoD, DOE, NIH, NSF, etc.), and how those interpretations continue to evolve.
-What actually draws attention in practice, funding structures, partnerships, personnel, data access, and commercial behavior, often years before companies realize they are being evaluated.
-Practical mitigation options teams can consider if and when FOCI-related issues arise.
The discussion draws on real-world patterns from intelligence collection, influence operations, and technology competition. It’s designed to sharpen judgment, challenge assumptions, and help teams understand the terrain they’re operating in, so innovation can proceed faster and with fewer strategic surprises.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
PRESENTER: Cyrus Miryekta, CEO, Ravelin US LLC
DATE: April 16, 2026
TIME: 1-2PM Eastern WEBINAR
COST: Virginia Based Co’s & Virginia University FREE; All Others $20

Hub Topic Talks: Truly Listening as the Ultimate Entrepreneurial Unlock
2026-04-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Tribe Square Entrepreneurship Hub, 249 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, US
Entrepreneurs are taught to pitch, persuade, and push forward. But the skill that transformed Paige Edward’s career — and made her the #1 producer for seven straight years — was learning how to truly listen. After earning a Master’s in Counseling, she discovered that understanding what people aren’t saying often matters more than what they are. In this session, we’ll explore how deep listening sharpens product-market fit, uncovers real objections, strengthens teams, and builds the kind of trust that fuels sustainable growth.
Hub Topic Talks is a platform where entrepreneurs share their remarkable journeys and their acquired industry expertise. These thought-provoking talks delve into specific industry-level topics, offering not only deep insights and wisdom but also tangible action steps. Be inspired by the stories of those who have navigated the entrepreneurial landscape with degrees of failure and success. Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry experts and uncover the keys to success at Hub Talks! Attend in person at the Hub or virtually via Zoom!
