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?
What if we’ve been so distracted from the headlines of other regions that we overlooked that Hampton Roads is building something different, powerful, and in our own way?
The State of Innovation Address pulls that story together, providing a clear, grounded view of what is actually happening across Hampton Roads — not speculation, not hype, and not wishful thinking.
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.
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.
Innovation in Hampton Roads has reached an inflection point. The region is no longer just supporting innovation, it’s producing it. Companies are growing. Talent is staying. Capital is paying attention. What’s been missing is a single moment that pulls the full picture together and says, clearly: this is what innovation looks like here. The State of Innovation Address creates that moment, annually.
Speakers will include leaders from NASA, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and additional organizations shaping the future of innovation, business, and technology in the region. More speakers will be announced soon.
This event is designed for founders and startup leaders, executives and operators at growing companies, technologists and engineers, investors and economic development leaders — and anyone who wants a clearer, more honest view of innovation in Hampton Roads.
Capacity is limited. If you want to understand what’s being built here and how it connects, the State of Innovation Address is where that picture comes into focus.
Reserve your ticket(s) below!
More event info available here
Thank you to our sponsors!
A first look: The IHR 200
The State of Innovation Address will also mark the initial release of the IHR 200.
The IHR 200 is a curated list of the top 200 private companies in Hampton Roads, selected across industries, stages, and company sizes. These are organizations that matter to the region not just because of revenue or headcount, but because of what they’re building, how they’re growing, and the role they play in shaping what’s next.
The first tranche of the IHR 200 will be revealed live at the State of Innovation Address. This initial release offers an early look at the companies already defining the region’s innovation landscape, with additional releases to follow.
This moment is not about rankings. It’s about recognition, visibility, and putting a spotlight on the companies moving Hampton Roads forward.
Want to sponsor the State of Innovation Address? Start here.