Registration Now Open: SVTC's Fall Tech Mixer (9/27)
September 27, 2018 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Beyond Restaurant, Harrisonburg
Join the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council on September 27th for our annual Fall Tech Mixer. Hosted by the SVTC's Board of Directors, this is our fall networking event.
Come and find out what the SVTC is doing as an organization, and what our members are doing individually. This is our second biggest event of the year (only Tech Nite is bigger). This is where the growing technology community goes in the fall to catch up. SVTC members are corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, coders, programmers and more. Membership is not required to participate in the Fall Tech Mixer nor many SVTC events. Feel free to invite a co-worker, customer, friend or spouse (please register each).
Come out and join current and potential members as they mingle and network. Appetizers are 'on us'! Drinks are Dutch treat.
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September 28, 2018 | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg
Regular Ticket: $125 |
Student (high school or college): $50
The inaugural Valley TechCon brings together technology enthusiasts, practitioners, researchers, and business leaders to facilitate idea sharing, collaboration, and innovation. Sessions will cover a broad spectrum of topics from autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence. The goal is to inspire new ideas, improve business efficiency with emerging technologies, springboard new ventures, and expand networking opportunities.
Breakout Sessions
Beyond the keynote and featured speakers, guests will have the opportunity to attend five breakout sessions. Each session is composed of three different topics so you can choose the information most relevant to you.
Networking Event
Following the conference, you will be shuttled to Pale Fire Brewing company in bustling downtown Harrisonburg for a post-conference networking event. Meet peers, entrepreneurs, and influencers from the tech industry.
Incredible Speakers
ValleyTechCon18 has attracted presenters from private industry, government, and higher education to present on a broad spectrum of leading-edge technology and business development topics. Line-up of speakers:
https://www.valleytechcon.com/speakers/
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TECHSTERS | For Middle School Girls (11/3)
Seeking a Sponsor to offer Quality Prizes
Using best practices and lessons learned from Capital One in conjunction with the long-standing TECHSTERS program, many technology and innovation business councils in Virginia are working together to host a statewide
"Capture the Flag" event on Saturday, Nov. 3 that will expose girls to the
cybersecurity industry in a fun and interactive game style. This program is meant to inspire a future generation to discover technology, get excited about STEM, and build code for real-world applications.
(Formed in 2013, TECHSTERS is an after-school program for middle school aged girls dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue their interests in STEM fields. Since the program's first day event with robotic balls called Spheros, TECHSTERS has served over 1,100 students in the greater Richmond region. In 2017, Capital One used the TECHSTERS model to host ten regional coding programs for middle school girls all across the Commonwealth. The outcome was spectacular as they reached over 900 students in two days.)
Sponsorship available: A $1,500 sponsorship is available; we would like to offer prizes to the top three local winners. Please contact us at
info@svtc-va.org if interested. Visibility will be given to the sponsor in communications, online, and on the day of the event.
Equipment and FYIs:
- Participants can bring their own Internet-ready, wifi-enabled laptops and will log into the wifi network
- Team size: up to three girls. Teams will form after arrival.
- We will supply 12 computers for up to 36 girls. Please indicate on the registration form whether you will bring your own laptop or will borrow one.
- After registration, we will email JMU parking instructions
Registration will open later in Sept.
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Student Entrepreneurship Showcase (9/21)
September 21, 2018 | 6
:30 pm - 8:00 pm
JMU
Engineering/Geosciences Building, Room 2301
Real companies. JMU students. From every corner of campus. | The public is invited.
Eighteen student fellows, three mentors, and three exchange students spent the summer developing their businesses with workspace, entrepreneurship programming and instructions, and funding opportunities provided by the Center for Entrepreneurship. By the end of the program, each venture gained real-life traction with customers and revenue. The fellows traveled to NYC to speak with alumni entrepreneurs and then swept Princeton University's eLab in a pitch competition. Come hear these winning pitches! This event will occur from
6:30pm-8pm with a reception to follow.
For more information, please email
cfe@jmu.edu or call
(540)568-4695.
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Broaden Your Horizons: A Small Business Symposium (9/26)
September 26, 2018 |
7:30 am - 12:30 pm
VMI Hall of Valor Marshall Center, Lexington
This small business symposium includes an exhibit hall of small business resources; breakout sessions regarding marketing, finances, accounting and doing business with local, state and federal government agencies; and networking opportunity for small business owners to think outside their walls.
This event is organized by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity in partnership with Virginia Military Institute.
Parking: T
here should be directional signs for parking in a lot adjacent to the building. If reserved spaces are unavailable, however, then there should be parking on the streets near the building.
Register for September 26, 2018 symposium
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Based on the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program for Lean Startups, ICAP helps inventors and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market.
ICAP includes FREE introductory training and counseling offered by ICAP instructors and local SBDC business advisors. ICAP helps startups identify potential customers and develop successful business models based on that knowledge. It is an ideal program for early-stage companies trying to prepare for eventual venture investment.
Important Dates
October 10, 2018 - Acceptance notifications and communication with next steps and instructions, including how to prepare for the first session.
October 19, 2018 - 9:00am - 5:00pm - Introductory Classroom Session
October 26, 2018 - Each team participates in a pre-scheduled Telephone Review of the team's Customer Discovery Progress over the first week
November 2, 2018 - 9:00am - 2:00pm - Final Team Presentations
During this 2-week program, there is extensive work done outside the classroom. In addition to the two class meetings, participants should expect to spend another 10-15 hours per week on customer discovery and course assignments.
At the conclusion of the program, you will remain connected with your ICAP trainers and SBDC Business Advisors to continue your progress on the Five Steps to Startup Success.
This program is designed to generate a maximum impact over a relatively short duration and should be considered a required first step for anyone interested in commercializing a technology or product, whether through a startup or licensing arrangement.
Some graduates of this cohort may be eligible to apply to NSF's full National Seven-week I-Corps Program which includes non-dilutive grants for customer discovery and prototype development. Additionally, this program can help teams develop better submissions for SBIR and CRCF grants from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technologies.
Your ICAP Instructor
 Bob Smith is Director of the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP), a program funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by George Mason University and the
Virginia Small Business Development Center Network (VSBDC). Here he helps researchers, inventors, and technology startups develop their technology commercialization and technology business startup efforts. He's also an instructor with the
NSF's DC I-Corp Node, and co-director of the Fed Tech program, which uses Lean Startup methods to assist inventors from government labs to explore the commercial viability of their inventions.
Bob has 30+ years' experience in innovation and entrepreneurship. He is the Chairman of
CollegeFactual.com, a leading college rankings website. He's held senior management positions at Congressional Quarterly and America Online in sales, marketing, and new product development and was the founder and CEO of the first nation-wide online city guide, Digital City. As an executive, angel investor, and advisor he has helped companies in e-commerce, e-government, identity management, content publishing, geospatial analytics, data science, and local media go from launch through to favorable exits.
Bob received a BA from USC and his MBA from GWU. He is a veteran of the US Navy.
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GO Virginia Region 8 Council Now Accepting Project Proposals (deadline 10/5)
Application Deadline October 5, 2018
The GO Virginia Region 8 Council is pleased to announce that it is accepting proposals for projects to be funded through the State's GO Virginia initiative. The Region 8 Council has approximately $1.6 million in GO Virginia funds to award to projects in the region. The upcoming application deadline is October 5, 2018, for per capita and enhanced capacity building proposals.
About GO Virginia
The Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board and Fund was approved by the 2016 Virginia General Assembly, and is a business-led, bipartisan initiative that is incentivized and encouraged by the state, however participation is not required of localities. An organizing workgroup made up of staff from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and interested economic development, workforce training, community planning and development, education, and business leaders from around the state met in 2016 to recommend geographic partitioning and Fund guidelines and procedures to the Board. Nine regions were established and each region formed councils that were certified by the Board in March 2017. The Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board is comprised of 24 members with representation from the House and Senate, Gubernatorial appointments, and private sector leadership. In addition to approving GO Virginia regions and certifying regional councils, the Board is responsible for determining project funding.
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edUi Conference | Charlottesville (10/8 - 10/10)
Join us on October 8 - 10 for edUi! edUi is a 3-day conference for web professionals working at institutions of learning-colleges, universities, libraries, and museums. Presented by Virginia Humanities. The event will take place at a variety of venues on the scenic pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia (view map).
For more information, visit:
https://www.eduiconf.org
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DIGITAL Women in Computing
for Middle and High School Girls (10/13)
October 13, 2018 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
JMU ISAT/CS Building, Harrisonburg
Come celebrate CS Education Week at DIGITAL with JMU Women in Technology (WIT). Learn Python programming, program Finch and Hummingbird Robots, create art with Chibitronics, get a chance to fly a drone and then form a team to design and implement your own project with what you learned. DIGITAL is an event open to middle school and high school girls interested in technology. College students from JMU Women in Technology (JMU WIT) lead girls through hands-on activities to help them engage with new technologies. JMU WIT strives to support and celebrate girls and women interested in STEM fields from the classroom to the workforce.
Registration is
FREE. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Register for October 13, 2018 DIGITAL event
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GDI Code and Coffee Study Group
October 18, 2018 | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Black Sheep Coffee, Harrisonburg
Join us for Code & Coffee Study Group! Whether you're looking to keep practicing what you learned in your last class or are in the midst of a project, your community is here to help!
This will be an informal event where members can meet each other and collaborate. TAs will be there to help troubleshoot and brainstorm ideas with you!
Have a project idea and some skills, but haven't attended a GDI event yet? Want to focus on helping others with their projects? You're welcome too!
This is also a great event for first time attendees who just want to socialize and learn more about GDI.
As a group, everyone will hold each other accountable for completing projects, and provide on-going support and feedback.
Bring a laptop and something to work on. It's okay if you don't have a project! Feel free to come by for the whole thing or drop in when you have time.
Register for October 18, 2018 Code and Coffee Study Group
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Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) Information Session (10/23)
CRCF Information Session
CIT is pleased to preview the CRCF FY2019 solicitation, identifying programs offered, eligibility criteria, and other high-level information. Approximately $2.4 million is available to award. The RFP will be issued in early October and will include complete criteria, including program guidelines and application materials. CRCF staff will be present at Lakeview Hall on October 23rd for a regional briefing and will answer questions. Use the link below to register.
Webinar (WebEx)
For those unable to attend the the CRCF information session at Lakeview, a webinar is available. Individuals can join using the WebEx app (video), or can call in (phone/audio). Access information will be emailed to you closer to the event date (registration link below).
Goal
The Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) advances science- and technology-based research, development, and commercialization to drive economic growth in Virginia, create and foster high-potential technology companies in the Commonwealth, and to encourage and strengthen collaboration and partnerships between the public and private sector.
Industry Sectors
Applications submitted under any FY2019 solicitation program must align with one or more of the following industry sectors and, where indicated, subsectors.
- Cyber Security, with particular interest in applications for autonomous systems, identity management, cloud infrastructure, and Internet of Things
- Energy, specifically clean energy
- Information Technology, specifically data analytics
- Life Sciences, with particular interest in precision medicine, neuroscience, and medtech
- Unmanned Systems
A single solicitation will be offered in FY2019, with five programs available for funding: Commercialization, SBIR Matching Funds, STTR Matching Funds, Matching Funds, and Eminent Researcher Recruitment.
The CRCF programs support commercialization goals through technology development in Virginia. CRCF monies additionally may be used for market validation, intellectual property protection, acquisition of materials and supplies, and/or other efforts that further technology commercialization and drive economic benefits to Virginia. Projects must be based upon sound scientific principles and present an opportunity for valid research.
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November 3, 2018 | JMU ISAT-CS Building
Volunteers are currently needed!
Volunteer
This event is free and open to the public! Come see what it's all about. Prepare for excitement, robotics, and LEGOS! Better yet -- volunteer. Just a few hours of your time can have a huge impact! To sign up as a volunteer, please complete the following form:
Harrisonburg Regional FLL Tournament Volunteers.
2018 Challenge: Into Orbit
Join FLL's mission into the 30
th season of FIRST
®! Prepare for blast off, break out of your earthly constraints and go INTO ORBIT
SM. The 2018/2019 FIRST
® LEGO
® League season will transport your team into space, where you'll explore, challenge, and innovate in the vast expanse of space.
FIRST LEGO League challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. During the INTO ORBIT season, teams will choose and solve a real-world problem in the Project. They will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO
® MINDSTORMS
® technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under the FIRST signature set of Core Values, celebrating discovery, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism
®
Team Start-Up Grants Available
Each year, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council sponsors three new FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from the Shenandoah Valley. Approximately half of the start-up cost of a new team is reimbursed, up to $350.
Teams must be located in the footprint of the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council's area of operation and intend to participate in the FLL competition within one year of receiving the grant. This grant can be used towards any equipment required for competition in FIRST LEGO League, including one or more LEGO robotics kits, a competition practice table, and an FLL field setup kit.
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Welcome New SVTC Member!
Rick Williams
Rick Williams has spent almost three decades in senior management roles in the accounting and finance field serving mostly firms in the technology and government contracting space. He is planning on retiring to the Valley in the next few years and is looking to start and expand his network. Rick is interested in consulting, coaching and mentoring and maybe even some angel investing in the technology space.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
BotkinRose PLC
BotkinRose PLC is a regional law firm based in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley that provides legal representation in a wide range of areas. The attorneys at BotkinRose are experienced professionals dedicated to serving our clients and assisting them with their unique legal needs and goals. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach and provide the honest and ethical legal representation our clients expect and deserve. We strive to represent our clients whether individuals or multi-million dollar businesses' in a personal, responsive, and cost-effective manner. Our clients' interests are always our top priority. At BotkinRose, we provide a rare combination of sound legal counsel and innovative, yet practical, legal representation. Our clients have come to rely on our dedication, work ethic, and guidance when confronted with their most complex and important legal needs. We are here to help you deal with challenges, resolve problems, and plan ahead. BotkinRose has the experience and expertise to be your consistent source of legal services. Our goal is to build a long-term relationship with each and every client based on a foundation of trust, personal service, and exceptional results. At BotkinRose, we strive to be more than your law firm; we strive to be your trusted advisors.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
University Programs at James Madison University is the central location for students, faculty and the university community to receive services and support regarding the Center for Assessment and Research Studies, General Education Program, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IdLS), and University Advising. University Programs is the Dean's office for Undeclared students, and coordinates some university-wide academic projects, including the registration of new freshmen and transfer students into appropriate first-semester courses. Within University Programs, the Center for Assessment and Research Studies provides quality assessment service to the university while providing applied graduate training in both assessment and measurement. The General Education Program is the core academic program required of all students, regardless of their major, educating students in ways that have been fundamental to higher education and to thinking people for centuries. IdLS is a liberal arts and sciences major that is cooperatively produced by three different colleges (Arts and Letters, Integrated Science and Engineering, and Education). The IdLS major provides content-area education for future teachers, and is designed to prepare students to meet subject area competencies required for teacher licensure in Virginia. University Advising focuses on the implementation of advising practices across the majors.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
People Places is a non-profit agency that is dedicated to providing therapeutic services within the community and nurturing safe and lasting relationships for children and families. Our services support foster care, adoption, special education, and families in and around Staunton, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport
Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) offers the Valley convenient access to United's global network of flights throughtwo major hubs - Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Both routes are operated by United's regional partner, SkyWest Airlines, utilizing a 50-seat seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ200). With just one stop, passengers have access to hundreds of domestic and international destinations while enjoying a hassle-free travel experience.
All flights to/from Shenandoah Valley Airport can be booked on United.com from beginning to final destination in one simple transaction. On the day of your flight enjoy FREE parking close to the terminal, a quick check-in process and not touching your checked luggage again until you reach your final destination. Members of United's Mileage Plus loyalty program will accrue Mileage Plus Miles for every flight segment from start to finish of their trip. Travel from the Shenandoah Valley Airport is a far more convenient and cost effective option than driving to a larger airport to catch a flight!
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
TransitionPoint is John Paul's consultancy. He founded his first startup in 2000 and his most recent one in 2016. As a web developer since the earliest days of HTML and CGI, he's worked with many technologies, seen multiple technology transitions, and continues to track best practices and new innovations.
TransitionPoint currently focuses on Ruby on Rails and data applications in the education, healthcare, and non-profit worlds.
John Paul's background: John Paul started hacking games in the 80s, and started working with the web when Marc Andreessen was still upstairs in the lab at UIUC. He met DHH and Dave Thomas over dinner the night before they released the first book on Rails. He joined his first startup in 1999 and raised VC for his own first company in 2000 (Consulting, "accelerator"). The last company he cofounded before working with Ray was (developer education) in 2016. In his opinion, the most successful company so far is the food coop here in Harrisonburg. He led the finance side, raised 1.6M to open and now they're at 4M/year in 5th year of operation.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
The City of Waynesboro IT Dept is a Level I member of the SVTC.
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Highlighting Renewing Individual Level Member:
Patrick Barker is the Executive Director of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority located in Winchester, Virginia.
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Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
- Immerge, Harrisonburg (Web Developer)
- Ryzing Technologies, Staunton (Mechanical Engineer)
- Harrisonburg IT Department (Technology Support Specialist)
- Harrisonburg Fire Department (Systems Analyst)
- Chiedo, Harrisonburg (Web Development Intern) -- No experience required!
- Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board, Harrisonburg (IT Manager)
-
Jenzabar, Harrisonburg (Software Engineer, Senior Software Developer, UX Designer, etc)
GOT ADDITIONAL JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED
? SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
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Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)
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SVTC MEMBERS INVITATION: DISPLAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Membership Badge Available
Use our new graphic on your own website (and remember to link back to our website
www. svtc-va.org
!)
Choose the graphic file of your choice:
Let us know when you incorporate this graphic and we'll mention your site in return!
Examples:
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The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council does not endorse the companies, organizations, teams, or events mentioned, or take a stand on any of the articles or notices or events included.
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>> Ready to become a member, too? Membership Benefits
& Prices >> How have you benefited from participating in our activities and/ or from membership? Tell us! Info@svtc-va.org |
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Contact Us
Shenandoah Valley Technology Council
800 S. Main Street MSC 3615
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
540-568-7882
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