Ecosystem Development

Activation Capital, as an ecosystem development organization in Central Virginia, aims to: increase IP commercialization and university spinoffs; increase density and fluidity of founders in greater Richmond; and speed the development of companies at the Virginia Bio+Tech Park through programming, events, and initiatives including the Ecosystem Direct Investment Fund (EDIF) and the Regional Ecosystem Initiative (REI). The Activation Council is the advisory group supporting many of these initiatives.

Ecosystem Direct Investment Fund (EDIF)

Direct Investments for Experiments and Projects that Build the Innovation Ecosystem

The Ecosystem Development Incentive Fund was created to support ESOs through funding programs and initiatives that grow entrepreneurship and support founders in our region. One of the ways Activation Capital contributes to strengthen our innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem is by direct investment into organizations who support the identified ecosystem gaps and strategies adopted by the Activation Council. We are currently looking at creating an ecosystem development lab aimed at supporting pilot projects in areas where our region has gaps.

Activation Council

The Activation Council, as an anchor for the knowledge-based innovation and entrepreneurial community, provides the leadership and vision for the Richmond regional innovation ecosystem with a willingness to invent, take and manage risks, and share credit for success.

Forum for collaboration and coordinated innovation activities amongst stakeholders in the region.
Set goals and metrics for innovation for the Region and monitoring progress toward goals.
Identify gaps in the innovation ecosystem and lead efforts to identify sources to fill gaps in the region.
Identify gaps in capital requirements and leading effort to provide the financial means to sustain a successful innovation ecosystem.
Craft message for marketing organizations at the local, regional, and statewide level of innovation excellence to help in the recruitment, retention, and expansion.

Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative

A Comprehensive, Inclusive Approach to New Venture Creation

Activation Capital is spearheading a year-long effort to design an economic development plan that leverages entrepreneurship throughout GO Virginia Region 4. The strategy will recommend programs that support and grow small businesses, manufacturing, and high-growth startups.

Scheduled Events and Meetings

REI Stakeholder Meeting 1

Date: December 16, 2021 from 1:00-2:00PM

Watch recording of Stakeholder Meeting 1

REI Stakeholder Meeting 2

Date: February 2, 2021 from 1:00-2:00PM

REI Stakeholder Meeting 3

Date: April 6, 2022 from 1:00-2:00PM

REI Stakeholder Meeting 4

Date: May 18, 2022 from 1:00-2:00PM

Affiliates Network

We currently have provided funding or support to a number of entrepreneur support organizations and refer to them as affiliate organizations. These organizations include: Lighthouse Labs, Startup Virginia, the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, SCORE Richmond, 757 Collab, Riverflow Growth Fund and the Health Innovation Consortium.

Metrics Report

Because of our population size, the Richmond region (MSA) is often not included in various rankings from organizations across the nation. We need to change the conversation about how we stack up against the “top 40” who are ranked and write our story. In doing so, we can set goals for the region, and demonstrate opportunities for support and engagement using actionable data.