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About Us

Venture Central is an entity that supports entrepreneurship in Central Virginia. We do this by listening and responding to the needs of business owners and managers, and the regional entrepreneur service organizations.

 

Venture Central hosts 434 Accelerator, Central Virginia's long-format accelerator program. 434 supports a select group of technology-driven, early-stage startups based in Central Virginia with nine months of program support, including: application for $20,000 in grant funding, dedicated workspace, experienced founders-in-residence, monthly programming, dedicated staff, a large network of industry experts, and access to nearly $50,000 in additional resources.

 

Our goals in 2024 are to collaborate with our communities to:

  • Diversify and expand our regional investor pool

  • Connect entrepreneurs to resources for funding and growth

  • Support activities that advance our business ecosystem

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Our Vision:

To make Central Virginia an internationally respected entrepreneurial community.


Our mission:

To serve and strengthen our entrepreneurial community by building and bridging connections, programs, funding, and spaces.

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Staff

REBECCA HAYDOCK
CEO
Venture Central
rebecca@venturecentralva.com

DAVID TOUVE
Managing Director
434.co
david@434.co

HOPE LAWRENCE
Program Manager
Venture Central
hope@venturecentralva.com

Board of Directors

Our board of directors supports the Venture Central vision & mission.

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SARAH RUMBAUGH
Board Chair, Director

CHARLIE ROGERS
Vice Chair, Director

CHRIS ENGEL
Treasurer, Director

DON LONG

Director

Emily Kilroy
Director

JIM ATKINSON
Director

PYAM POURTAHERI
Director

TIM HARVEY
Director

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