What we’re about
RVA Works connects, inspires, educates, and empowers entrepreneurs!
RVA Works holds public events, provides cohort-based business acceleration. Through our Open Trellis technology emerging entrepreneurs attend educational events, receive business advice, credit counseling, and referrals to lenders.
RVA Works is also a promotional partner for 1 Million Cups events, a national program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation that is designed to help entrepreneurs identify opportunities and overcome challenges.
In Richmond, Virginia 1 Million Cups is hosted by the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond, and pro bono events are offered on a hybrid basis to benefit those outside of our region.
Weekly speakers include entrepreneurs and those creating systems that support them. Speakers share their individual stories and motivation, their business model, and their growth strategy. Plus, attendees work to find ways that we can help the speaker.
Entrepreneurship provides society a way to change the economy and cultivate social impact through inclusion. The entrepreneurs who participate in our programming span industry sector, experience and education level, age groups, and ethnicity.
Join us, and learn more...
Upcoming events
4
2026 Techstars Startup Weekend - Chesterfield County
Chesterfield Economic Development, 7053 Celebration Park Ave., Suite 500, Richmond, VA, USJoin us to meet the organizers, and to get all of your questions answered for Startup Weekend, February 2026. This discussion is tailored to the questions that people are raising in Chesterfield County...
Startup Weekend is a three-day program for emerging executives, mentors, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Experience Entrepreneurial Mindset by living startup life over a weekend. It is a creative and collaborative educational event over a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Open to the public, anyone can develop and pitch new startup ideas. From executive product owners to independent inventors, all are welcome. The weekend includes creating a business model, validating it with potential customers, and competing for prizes within a supportive community.
This is a global event series led by Techstars, event sponsors, and affiliates. Sponsored by the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond
- Event Purpose: To help more people experience Startup Life over a weekend
- Audience: Those pitching an idea, and those who would like to join a startup team
- Dates: February 20th – 22nd, 2026
Join this Chesterfield County PreLaunch
We are holding a series of PreLaunch informational events, covering what to expect at Startup Weekend. Learn about the audience, itinerary, logistics, and the benefits.
If you know anyone planning to travel to Richmond
We can provide a code for discounted rates, for those requiring accommodation and registered for the event.
Join us for this PreLaunch conversation on Tuesday, Jan. 20th at 5pm.
Startup Weekend
Over an action-packed three days, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster -- and, maybe even start that business. More about Global Startup Weekends
Techstars
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities.
- Techstars has invested in 3,700 early-stage startups.
- Venture portfolio with a market capitalization of $8.1 billion.
- Startup Weekends have been held over 7000 times in over 150 countries.
- Attracting 19,000 community leaders and reaching over 428,000 entrepreneurs.
- Engaging an array of stakeholders – government agencies, universities, and nonprofits
Encouraging Diversity, Nationally
Read an article co-authored by our facilitator, Malliron Hodge, and our lead organizer, Dale Fickett:
"Delivering on the Promise of More Diverse Startup Weekends and the Benefits of an Inclusive Founder Community"
Next Steps
- Early Registration
- Attend the PreLaunch Event
- Watch the video What is Startup Weekend?
Techstars Startup Weekend – Changemakers Richmond is made possible through:
- Brex
- Techstars
- University of Richmond
Our regional Promotional Partners have included:
- Appomattox Regional Governor's School
- Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia
- BizWorks Enterprise Center
- Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority
- CodeRVA Regional High School
- Dominion Energy Innovation Center
- Downtown Ashland Association
- ESPN Radio 106.1
- Hanover County Economic Development Authority
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority
- Innovate Hampton Roads
- James Madison University
- Mike King Biz
- NASA
- Newport News Economic Development
- rvatech
- RVA Works
- SCORE Richmond
- Startup Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
- Virginia State University
3 attendees2026 Techstars Startup Weekend - VCU & City of Richmond
Shift retial Lab, 1235 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, USJoin us to meet the organizers, and to get all of your questions answered for Startup Weekend, February 2026. This discussion will include entrepreneurs from VCU, University of Richmond, and founders from Cental Virginia.
Startup Weekend is a three-day program for emerging executives, mentors, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Experience Entrepreneurial Mindset by living startup life over a weekend. It is a creative and collaborative educational event over a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Open to the public, anyone can develop and pitch new startup ideas. From executive product owners to independent inventors, all are welcome. The weekend includes creating a business model, validating it with potential customers, and competing for prizes within a supportive community.
This is a global event series led by Techstars, event sponsors, and affiliates. Sponsored by the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond
- Event Purpose: To help more people experience Startup Life over a weekend
- Audience: Those pitching an idea, and those who would like to join a startup team
- Dates: February 20th – 22nd, 2026
Join this VCU & City of Richmond PreLaunch
We are holding a series of PreLaunch informational events, covering what to expect at Startup Weekend. Learn about the audience, itinerary, logistics, and the benefits.
If you know anyone planning to travel to Richmond
We can provide a code for discounted rates, for those requiring accommodation and registered for the event.
Join us for this PreLaunch conversation on Monday, Jan. 26th at 6pm.
Startup Weekend
Over an action-packed three days, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster -- and, maybe even start that business. More about Global Startup Weekends
Techstars
The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities.
- Techstars has invested in 3,700 early-stage startups.
- Venture portfolio with a market capitalization of $8.1 billion.
- Startup Weekends have been held over 7000 times in over 150 countries.
- Attracting 19,000 community leaders and reaching over 428,000 entrepreneurs.
- Engaging an array of stakeholders – government agencies, universities, and nonprofits
Encouraging Diversity, Nationally
Read an article co-authored by our facilitator, Malliron Hodge, and our lead organizer, Dale Fickett:
"Delivering on the Promise of More Diverse Startup Weekends and the Benefits of an Inclusive Founder Community"
Next Steps
- Early Registration
- Attend the PreLaunch Event
- Watch the video What is Startup Weekend?
Techstars Startup Weekend – Changemakers Richmond is made possible through:
- Brex
- Techstars
- University of Richmond
Our regional Promotional Partners have included:
- Appomattox Regional Governor's School
- Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia
- BizWorks Enterprise Center
- Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority
- CodeRVA Regional High School
- Dominion Energy Innovation Center
- Downtown Ashland Association
- ESPN Radio 106.1
- Hanover County Economic Development Authority
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority
- Innovate Hampton Roads
- James Madison University
- Mike King Biz
- NASA
- Newport News Economic Development
- rvatech
- RVA Works
- SCORE Richmond
- Startup Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
- Virginia State University
4 attendees
RVA Works Information Night - Accelerate Your Business
Regency Square, 1420 N Parham Rd, Richmond, VA, USBusiness & Nonprofit Accelerator
Spring 2026 Cohort is Forming Now
We help more people become business owners! Join us to learn more about our accelerator program which includes:
- 13 Weeks of facilitated discussion
- One-on-one mentoring sessions
- Referrals to other support agencies and service providers
- Alumni group meetings for peer learning and support
- Pro bono attendance in future accelerator sessions
- Weekly networking sessions to expand your professional circle
We have been pleased to report that since 2014, 130 Participants have entered the accelerator program:
- 122 Program Graduates
- 75% Launch a Business
- 38% - Alumni report an average increase of 38% in annual income
Meet Dale Fickett, RVA Works founder. Dale Fickett is an entrepreneurship professor at the University of Richmond, a top 20 undergraduate business school. He also serves as President of RVA Works, a Virginia public charity providing educational and financial services to people facing economic and social barriers to business ownership. He is the lead organizer for Techstars Startup Weekend, a contributing author for Forbes, and provides policy guidance to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
Dale has lectured and conducted research on entrepreneurial finance and developmental economics. His research is focused on access to small business credit, blockchain and AI technologies, and income mobility. He has previously served on board appointments at the Virginia Catholic Conference, and for Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade. He has led ventures in the fintech and retail sectors, and served as a strategy consultant with Accenture’s European Financial Services practice. He holds a BSBA from LaSalle University, and an MBA from Villanova University. His passion is being a father to his daughter and son, as well as his missionary work in rural Haiti.
Logistics. Connect with RVA Works alumni-entrepreneurs, mentors, and others joining the Fall 2025 cohort. Have your questions ready:
- Thursday, January 29th
- 6pm - 8pm
No pre-registration is required. Join us:
Henrico Federal Credit Union
at Henrico Adult Education - Regency Campus
1420 North Parham Road
Henrico, VA
Parking. Free parking is available near NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, in the lower level of the parking deck. Please proceed to the corner entrance with the Blue Henrico Adult Education sign.
Please Note: This is an in-person only event, with no virtual option.2 attendees
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