SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs

SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs Connecting Entrepreneurs to Opportunities in Southern Virginia and Beyond!

Some businesses serve more than their customers. They help bring new life to the places they call home.Railway Café open...
09/01/2026

Some businesses serve more than their customers. They help bring new life to the places they call home.

Railway Café opened in downtown Bassett in 2020 with a vision to create a welcoming place where people could gather, enjoy good food, and feel at home.

Located in a space that once housed a barbershop and other small businesses, Railway Café is helping write a new chapter for a part of Bassett with a long history of local businesses and community gathering places.

Today, the café is known for scratch-made breakfast, flavorful lunches, homemade sauces, hometown hospitality, and plenty of familiar faces. Along the way, Railway Café has earned local recognition for Best Breakfast, Best Carry-Out, and Best Lunch five years in a row.

More than a place to grab a meal, Railway Café is a place for community, connection, and keeping a little piece of Bassett's story alive.

We're proud to spotlight Railway Café and the role small businesses like this play in strengthening communities across Southern Virginia.

Over the course of one day, entrepreneurs shared ideas, new partnerships were formed, business cards were exchanged, and...
08/31/2026

Over the course of one day, entrepreneurs shared ideas, new partnerships were formed, business cards were exchanged, and fresh opportunities began to take shape.

That's what the RISE Summit is all about.

Thank you for making this year's event one to remember. We hope these photos capture just a few of the connections, conversations, and moments that made the day so special.

What was your favorite part of the day? We'd love to hear in the comments.

The work continues, and we're excited to see what comes next.

📣 Applications close 11:59pm Thursday!RAMP Up is an 8-week accelerator program that helps agtech, forestry, and rural in...
08/31/2026

📣 Applications close 11:59pm Thursday!

RAMP Up is an 8-week accelerator program that helps agtech, forestry, and rural innovators gain the tools, connections, and insights needed to scale their businesses.

Not developing a new technology? That's okay. We also welcome businesses with meaningful innovation and strong potential for growth in our target industries to apply.

Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions below and learn more about the program here: https://sovarise.com/ramp-up/

Apply by September 3 (this Thursday!)

The conversations don't have to end with the RISE Summit.Keep the connections going at the September RISE Grapevine Virt...
08/29/2026

The conversations don't have to end with the RISE Summit.

Keep the connections going at the September RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup.

Join entrepreneurs, small business owners, and resource partners from across Southern Virginia to reconnect, make new connections, and hear about resources and opportunities available throughout the region.

Whether you joined us at the Summit or you're connecting with RISE for the first time, we'd love to have you.

September 17 | Noon–1:00 PM | Zoom
Register today. Link in comments.

This was a fantastic panel! Thank you to Kiana Dillard of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for moderating ...
08/28/2026

This was a fantastic panel! Thank you to Kiana Dillard of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for moderating and to Gretchen Clark of Hurt & Proffitt, Dr. Scott Lowman of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and Angela Yancey of Hitachi Energy South Boston for sharing your passion and expertise!

Thank you to Hitachi Energy South Boston for being part of the 2026 RISE Summit and for sharing this great recap!We were...
08/28/2026

Thank you to Hitachi Energy South Boston for being part of the 2026 RISE Summit and for sharing this great recap!

We were grateful to have Angela Yancey join our Regional Innovation Panel and bring Hitachi Energy's perspective to the conversation about Southern Virginia's growth and the opportunities ahead for entrepreneurs and businesses.

These are exactly the kinds of regional conversations and connections the RISE Summit is designed to create. Thank you for being part of it!

Grateful for Crystal M Hairston and all of our awesome presenters at today's RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs & Innovators!
08/28/2026

Grateful for Crystal M Hairston and all of our awesome presenters at today's RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs & Innovators!

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715 Wilborn Avenue
South Boston, VA
24592

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