What we’re about
This is group for technologists in Charlottesville that primarily serves as the hub for some of Charlottesville's most interesting technology events, including beSwarm, beCraft, First Wednesdays, and others.
Contact the organizers if you have any questions!
Upcoming events
5
Cville AI Explorers (CvAIEx) - October Meeting #8
Studio IX, 969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA, US# Fireside Q&A with Michael J. (MJP) Prichard
### From Reactive Tools to Proactive Teammates: The Next Shift in AI
Featuring: Michael J. Prichard — Founder & CEO, Shift AI
Michael (MJP) is a serial founder whose ventures have helped shape Charlottesville’s tech scene — from WillowTree Apps to Metis Machine (Skafos.ai) and now Shift AI, where he’s building intelligence systems that anticipate human needs.***
## About the Talk
Join us for a candid, fireside-style Q&A exploring the next evolution in AI — moving from reactive tools to proactive teammates that understand, learn, and collaborate.
Topics we’ll explore include:- How AI can move beyond commands to anticipate human intent
- What it really takes to build and fund AI startups in 2025
- Why the “future of work” is about augmenting human creativity, not replacing it
- Lessons from scaling multiple tech companies — and what’s next for AI builders in Charlottesville
Bring your questions, curiosities, and ideas. This will be an open, interactive discussion about where AI is heading and how our community can help shape it.
***
## Event Details
Date: Tuesday, Oct 28th
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Studio IX – 969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA***
## Schedule
5:30 PM – Setup begins
5:45 PM — (Optional) Book Club Track
6:00 PM – Doors open (feel free to bring snacks or grab something nearby)
6:30 PM – Fireside Q&A with Michael J. (MJP) Prichard
7:30 PM – Breakout Track Reports and 3-Minute Pitches
7:45 PM – Open Forum Discussion
Share your projects, demo tools, or bring a topic for group discussion.
8:00 PM – Wrap-up and networkingOrganizerss
Owen Zanzal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenzanzal/
Mike Powers - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-powers-4262033/
Chat with us on Cville Slack #cvilleaiexplorers
If you aren't a member of Cville Slack, DM me your email, and I'll send you an invite.Sponsors
Studio IX
Coworking space in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.
Studio IX offers a flexible shared office environment with options for open workspaces, dedicated desks, and private offices. The space fosters a collaborative community through weekly events and mixers, featuring a 'warm industrial' atmosphere with ample natural light.
Amenities include high-speed internet, soundproof phone booths, conference rooms, and premium coffee. Studio IX is staffed by a community manager on weekdays and provides 24/7 access for members.
Tours of the space are available; interested individuals can contact them via:- Email: COWORK@STUDIOIX.CO
- Phone: 434.260.3803
- Website: https://www.studioix.co/
16 attendees
BeCamp 2025: Friday Night Pitch Night - November 14 ( 5pm - 10pm )
IX Art Park, Charlottesville, 963 2nd Street Southeast, Charlottesville, VA, US# BeCamp 2025: Friday Night Pitch Night
📅 Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
🕓 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: The Looking Glass Art Bar, Ix Art Park — 522 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA***
### What’s Pitch Night?
BeCamp kicks off with Pitch Night — an open, community-driven evening where you set the agenda for Saturday.
Here’s how it works:- Socialize & network over food and drinks.
- Pitch ideas for sessions you’d like to see (no expertise required).
- Vote on your favorites.
- We’ll use those votes to build Saturday’s schedule.
It’s casual, creative, and the heart of what makes BeCamp special.
***
### Important: Registration Required
👉 Please register at https://be.camp to attend.
Meetup RSVPs alone will not hold your spot.- Friday Pitch Night capacity: ~100 people
- Saturday Sessions (Nov 15 @ StudioIX): limited to ~60 people
***
### Who Should Come?
- Developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and community builders
- Folks curious about tech, startups, and creative problem solving
- Anyone who likes the idea of learning from peers in an informal, collaborative environment
***
### Sponsors
Big thanks to our Premier Sponsors who make this possible:
- Braid
- ButterCMS
- John Feminella
- Scale
- Studio IX
- The Looking Glass
- SpiffWorks
- Tristan Williams Photography
***
🔗 Register now at https://be.camp to secure your spot.
***
### What is BeCamp?
BeCamp is Charlottesville’s annual unconference for technologists, creatives, and community builders.
Unlike a traditional conference, BeCamp has no set agenda, no panels, and no keynotes. Instead, it’s built by the people who show up:- On Friday night, attendees gather for Pitch Night — a casual evening of food, drinks, and idea sharing. Anyone can propose a topic, from deep technical dives to broad conversations about startups, design, or community. Everyone votes, and the most popular ideas become Saturday’s sessions.
- On Saturday, the community-built schedule comes to life. Sessions are informal and participatory — think whiteboards, discussions, demos, and collaboration instead of PowerPoint decks.
BeCamp is grassroots, free to attend, and thrives on the energy of the Charlottesville tech and creative community. It’s a space to share what you know, learn something new, and connect with others who care about building and creating.
9 attendees
BeCamp 2025: Saturday Sessions - November 15 ( 9am - 4pm )
Studio IX, 969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA, US# BeCamp 2025: Saturday Sessions
📅 Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Studio IX — 969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA***
### What Are Saturday Sessions?
Saturday is when the ideas pitched on Friday night turn into a full-day unconference. The schedule is built by the community, for the community — sessions range from technical deep-dives and live demos to open discussions about startups, design, and the future of tech.
No panels. No keynotes. Just participant-driven conversations and collaboration.***
### Important: Registration Required
👉 You must register at https://be.camp to attend.
Meetup RSVPs alone will not reserve your spot.
⚠️ Capacity is limited to 55–60 attendees at Studio IX. Spots will go fast, so register early.***
### Who Should Come?
- Developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and community builders
- Folks curious about tech, startups, and creative problem solving
- Anyone who enjoys learning, teaching, and sharing in an informal, grassroots setting
***
### Sponsors
A huge thanks to our Premier Sponsors for making BeCamp possible:
- Braid
- ButterCMS
- John Feminella
- Scale
- Studio IX
- The Looking Glass
- SpiffWorks
- Tristan Williams Photography
***
🔗 Register now at https://be.camp to secure your spot.
### What is BeCamp?
BeCamp is Charlottesville’s annual unconference for technologists, creatives, and community builders.
Unlike a traditional conference, BeCamp has no set agenda, no panels, and no keynotes. Instead, it’s built by the people who show up:- On Friday night, attendees gather for Pitch Night — a casual evening of food, drinks, and idea sharing. Anyone can propose a topic, from deep technical dives to broad conversations about startups, design, or community. Everyone votes, and the most popular ideas become Saturday’s sessions.
- On Saturday, the community-built schedule comes to life. Sessions are informal and participatory — think whiteboards, discussions, demos, and collaboration instead of PowerPoint decks.
BeCamp is grassroots, free to attend, and thrives on the energy of the Charlottesville tech and creative community. It’s a space to share what you know, learn something new, and connect with others who care about building and creating.
7 attendees
Past events
152
