Giving Tuesday: Investing in Local Entrepreneurs
This Giving Tuesday, support the Central Virginia SBDC's important work of empowering local businesses. In 2024, we've offered free-of-charge counseling to 901 businesses that are transforming our community.
Take Daryl Rivera of Authentic Latin American Soul Food, who expanded his part-time catering business into a thriving food truck operation with SBDC's support. Or artists Minh Martin and Anna Shapiro of Glass Hollow, who used our guidance to turn their dream of a state-of-the-art glassblowing studio into reality along Nelson County's scenic 151 corridor. Scott Magargee leveraged our team of experienced professionals to position his cutting-edge health technology for venture capital and global markets.
Our clients generate remarkable results, averaging 9x more employee hires and doubling their sales. Your support provides free-of-charge expert guidance that transforms entrepreneurial dreams into thriving local businesses!
Donate today and be a community champion.
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Don't miss your chance to be a part of the transformative experience in the CIC 16-week Entrepreneur Workshop!
Beginning in February, in Charlottesville or Orange-Culpeper, this workshop will equip you with the basic principles and skills needed to run a business successfully. Explore crucial topics such as cash flow, breakeven, marketing, customer discovery, time management, and more!
Apply by January 3, 2025 for the Spring 2025 sessions.
Find out more and apply here.
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December 10 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM | Online
Customer discovery is one of the most important and least expensive ways to accelerate your pathway to market.
This session will be lead by the Virginia SBDC's Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) team and will cover:
- What is customer discovery?
- How is customer discovery connected to getting funded?
- What is the difference between customer discovery and sales?
- How to effectively conduct customer discovery interviews.
- What working with ICAP looks like and how it supports startups long-term.
Register here.
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Virginia Talent & Opportunity Partnership (V-Top)
V-TOP is a statewide initiative designed to increase college internships and other work-based learning opportunities, thereby connecting businesses with emerging talent. It also provides fiscal support to businesses who want to hire area college students as interns. In Region 9, the UVA Career Center is the V-TOP grant holder and Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development is a partner. Learn more here.
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Reminder to File Your Beneficial Ownership Information Report
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effective in 2024, mandates that small businesses and certain entities report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This law aims to prevent money laundering, tax evasion, and illicit activities by requiring companies to disclose information about individuals who own or control 25% or more of the business or exercise substantial control. Companies formed before January 1, 2024, must file their initial reports by January 1, 2025, while entities formed on or after January 1, 2024, have 30 days from the date of formation to report. Learn more and file here.
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Beware of Phishing Scams
Be cautious and stay alert when receiving emails, texts, or online messages that seem legitimate but may be attempts to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, or bank account numbers. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing sensitive data.
Currently, there is an phishing campaign circulating impersonating the City of Charlottesville. Fraudulent emails are being sent by an unknown party targeting SWAM certified vendors in the Charlottesville area.
Please be aware the emails with the following attributes are a scam:
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Sent from the email address update@raleighdayschool.org
- Asking you to verify your SWAM vendor information
- A link directing you to the URL
Do not reply to this phishing email or click on any links.
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FREE Business Accelerator & an opportunity to receive $10K in grant funding!
Applications are now open for the FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp program, in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). Apply for one of 150 spots in this 12-week digital growth accelerator, offering expert-led sessions, mentorship, education, and a peer network. Accepted participants also have the chance to receive a $10,000 grant (funding not guaranteed). Apply by December 13, 2024, at 6 p.m. ET. Apply now.
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All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. | |
Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network | |
HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY | |
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Lighthouse Labs Application Are Open
Twice a year, Lighthouse Labs trains and supports 6-10 early-stage startups and, with support from their partners, give founders a $20,000 grant. Over 11 weeks, participants benefit from tailored mentorship, comprehensive education on scaling a startup, and a supportive cohort community. Apply by December 12
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Dec 4 | 1 PM – 3 PM | Rapidan, VA
The Tennie Agriculture Group is a dedicated tax and accounting firm, specializing in providing financial solutions for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. In this session you will learn about the following topics:
- Understanding Tax Compliance for Agribusiness operations and Schedule F,
- Choosing the Right Entity Structure for your agribusiness
- Financial Literacy for farmers, ranchers and veterans.
Register Here
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Dec 7 | 12 PM – 2:30 PM | Catlett, VA
The ServSafe Food Handler Certification Course covers food safety basics, time/temperature control, sanitation, cross-contamination, and hygiene. After completing the classroom work, participants take a national certification exam. Upon passing participants receive their ServSafe Food Handler Certificate that is valid for 3 years.The cost of Full Class Enrollment is $20. The fee includes textbook, exam & certification.
Learn More and Register Here
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Central Virginia SBDC
Your Partners in Business:
Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion
Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,
Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.
Meet With Us
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