Resource, Funding, and Service Providers for Entrepreneurs

Goochland County entrepreneurs are fortunate to have resources from both the Greater Richmond Region and Central Virginia Region. Below are a variety of resource, funding, and service providers that are focused on entrepreneurial and small business development.

Business One Stop – Business One Stop is the first stop for all Virginia entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Goochland.

SBA – The Virginia SBA Office provides services and resources like funding programs and SBA loans. 

Small Business Development Center – Capital Region  - The SBDC offers entrepreneurs with counselling services, business classes, and information regarding grants and business financing. Below are programs offered by Virginia SBDC’s;

• Retailers and Restaurants Program
• International Business Development Program
• Craft Beverage Assistance Program
• Innovation Commercialization Program     

Virginia Dept. of Small Business & Supplier Diversity – Provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with education, technical assistance, and access to capital.

• Virginia Small Business Financing Authority – A part of the SBSD, is the business and economic development financing Arm of Virginia.

SCORE Richmond – Offers entrepreneurs with free mentoring and resources, affordable workshops, and networking events. 

Virginia DHCD – Offers multiple funding programs to help entrepreneurs get their businesses started.

Go Virginia Region Four – Offers grants for entrepreneurship in fields related to Bioscience, Advanced Manufacturing, and Logistics. 

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation – Through commercialization and seed funding, VIPC helps entrepreneurs launch and grow high-growth technology companies. Below are their four funding programs.

• Commonwealth Commercialization Fund
• Virginia Venture Partners
• Virginia Founders Fund
• Regional Innovation Fund

Virginia Community Capital – Have a small business lending division focused on finding creative ways to support growth in Virginia small businesses.

Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center – Helps businesses to business with government.

LISC Virginia – Offers grant and funding opportunities to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

VA – Bio Connect - are creating a central location for the life science community to find relevant resources across the state, including commercialization and entrepreneurship programs.

Activation Capital - serves as a connection point for many stakeholders in the Metro Richmond innovation ecosystem. It manages and supports program that give startups access to tools, resources, and funding to better navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

Resources for BIPOC Entrepreneurs

The organizations below focus on creating business and funding opportunities for BIPOC entrepreneurs and are active in the Richmond region, all having offices in Richmond.

• Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council 
• Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce
• LISC Virginia
• Metropolitan Business League

Angel investment groups active in virginia & central virginia

Below are a handful of angel investment groups that are active in Virginia and Central Virginia that are always looking for new entrepreneurs to support.

• New Dominion Angels
• Digital Health Angels
• Cav Angels

Incubators & accelerators

Below are some incubators and accelerators available to entrepreneurs in the Central Virginia region. These offer work spaces for entrepreneurs to take advantage of and opportunities to network with like-minded individuals.

• Catalyst
• DEIC Accelerate
• Lighthouse Labs
• Start Up Virginia

Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Below are funding and educational programs specifically tailored to our veterans who are looking to start their own business.

• PENFED Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program
• Hivers & Strivers Capital
• Virginia SBDC Veteran Assistance Program

Food Entrepreneurship in Goochland

Are you a food entrepreneur in Goochland? Chiknegg is a Kitchen Incubator in Goochland that offers food entrepreneurs with a commercial kitchen and business consulting.