The SVTC held their second virtual luncheon on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
Tammy Bjelland, Founder and CEO of Workplaceless, joined us to discuss "
Best Practices for Effective Remote Work: From the Sudden to the Sustainable." For those who were unable to attend the virtual luncheon, we have posted a copy of the presentation in addition to a very helpful worksheet allowing individuals to reflect on essential skills and develop practices needed to succeed in remote work.
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Staunton Innovation Hub Community-Needs Survey
Many people are shifting to co-working environments and remote working and because of that the Staunton Innovation Hub would like to determine the needs/wants and challenges facing the businesses shifting to this model.
This survey was crafted to help guide the Staunton Innovation Hub in designing events and programming for entrepreneurs, business owners, community members, and Hub members.
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JMU Presents ONLINE Youth Programs (June - July)
JMU Professional & Continuing Education is providing opportunities for online camps and learning for kids, many of which are STEM-based! Please take a look at the following camps and programs starting in June 2020.
Renewable Energy Camp | June 22 - 25, 2020 | Grades: Rising 4th - 12th
During Renewable Energy Camp
, kids will get a chance to harness the power of the wind and build a wind turbine as well as catch the sun and use it to power a village or even cook smores! Over the week, we will learn about energy, renewable energy, energy conservation, wind energy, and solar energy. At the end of the week, kids will have a chance to show off what they learned in a mini-science fair.
Renewable Energy Camp registration and more information
Science Explorers Camp
Using JMU's unique facilities such as the John C. Wells Planetarium, Science on a Sphere, among others, camp-goers will get to explore different areas of science, including biology, earth science, chemistry, forensic science, physics and astronomy and more!
We seek to inspire and excite the next generation. Science Explorers Camp will touch on topics covered in the former Space Explorers Camp, while introducing new concepts, activities, and STEM challenges.
Full Day Camp (rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades)
July 6-10, 2020 Program Fee: $80.00
Full Day Camp (rising 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grades)
July 13-17, 2020 P
rogram Fee: $80.00
College for Kids | July 27-31, 2020 | Grades: Rising K-8th
College for Kids
provides an enriching, educational, and fun experience
for children in grades K-8. Students work with JMU faculty and graduate students, as well as experts from the community, to explore and discover talents they never knew they had! Classes include STEM topics such as A Dino-Mite STEM Adventure, Uncovering the Mysteries of Science, and MORE!
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BRCC's Learning Can Be Fun - All Classes Online (June - August)
Blue Ridge Community College's popular Learning Can Be Fun (LCBF) summer youth program offers 85 classes, providing rising 3-12 grade students plenty of opportunities for virtual learning. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all classes meet online, with real-time learning taking place live with an instructor and other students for a virtual bonding experience over a one-week period. Each class is grouped by appropriate age levels, with class size kept to a minimum to allow for individual attention.
Classes include the following subjects:
- Black Rocket Productions- 60 classes
- Design
- Coding
- Video Game Creation
- Sports Challenges
- Minecraft
- JavaScript & Python
- YouTube Content Creators
- Science and Technology - 2 classes
- Culture, History, Language, and Literature - 10 classes
- Art, Music, and Theatre - 7 classes
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ICAP Cohort Sponsors: Virginia Small Business Development Center, George Mason University,
NSF Innovation Corps, and Center for Innovative Technology
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 programs and counseling services offered through ICAP instructors and local SBDC counselors. 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.
Preferred Sectors
The cohort will give preference to startups focused on the following sectors/solutions:
- CybersecuritySoftware | Telecommunications | | Information & Communication Technologies | E-Commerce | Networking & Equipment | Electronics/Instrumentation | Sensors | Materials | Drones | IoT
- Pandemic ResponseBiotechnology | Biopharmaceuticals | Medical Devices | Laboratory Instrumentation | Diagnostics | Healthcare IT | Nutraceuticals | Agricultural | Software | Telecommunications | Information & Communication Technologies | Sensors | Manufacturing
Important Dates
- June 21, 2020 - Applications are due by midnight
- June 24, 2020 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Introductory Webinar
- July 1, 2020 - Acceptance notifications and communication with next steps
- July 8, 2020 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm - Customer Segments and Initial Team Presentations
- July 9, 2020 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm - Value Proposition
- July 10, 2020 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm - Customer Discovery
- July 17, 2020 - Each team participates in a pre-scheduled group video call review of the team's Customer Discovery Progress over the first week
- July 24, 2020 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm - Final Team Presentations
During this introductory program, there is extensive work done outside the virtual classroom. In addition to the virtual 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 adjunct to continue your progress on the Five Steps to Startup Success over the following 6 to 24 months.
The introductory 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 Seven-week National 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 currently the Director of I-Corps at George Washington University where he helps researchers, inventors, and technology startups develop their technology commercialization and technology business startup efforts. He is also an instructor with the NSF's DC I-Corp Node.
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.
(submit applications by June 21, 2020)
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The 2020 Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference will be held virtually on July 27-28th and will include two partial days of workshops, breakout sessions, and short talks focused on cybersecurity education and associated resources for educators and security professionals.
There will be a conference capture-the-flag competition, as well as birds-of-a-feather networking sessions and a late-afternoon happy hour. All registered participants will have access to the session recordings after the event.
Conference registration to Virginia high school and college faculty, as well as other Virginia state and federal employees, will be provided free of charge, and to others at a significantly reduced rate. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will also still be provided. The new virtual registration fees are:
| VA State/Fed Employee |
Non-VA/Private Educator |
Industry Partner |
College Student |
| FREE |
$50 |
$75 |
$25 |
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COVID-19 Resources & Local Open/Closed Businesses
During this uncertain time, we feel the need to share information that will help our readers monitor the current situation. Below we have linked several resources.
We also recommend you take a look at the following article providing additional COVID-19 resources for economic development planning and recovery:
https://restoreyoureconomy.org/
Resources to monitor COVID-19 updates:
Open/closed businesses (& altered hours of operations) in the Shenandoah Valley:
Broadband Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Virginian's ability to work, access healthcare and education, and has magnified the digital divide more than ever before. The Commonwealth Connect team has launched a webpage to provide information about what both the federal government and Virginia's ISPs are doing in response to the crisis. Please see: https://www.commonwealthconnect.virginia.gov/COVID-19
Business Resources
- SBA's Disaster Loan is a program designed to help small businesses and non-profit organizations meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot otherwise be met as a direct result of COVID-19. The SV SBDC provides information and assistance in the loan preparation documents. To learn how to apply for the SBA EIDL: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information. For assistance from the SVSBDC to apply see here: valleysbdc.org/covid-19.
- Status of Building Officials' offices across the Commonwealth on VBCOA website
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: COVID-19 Update Page outlines regulated non-essential businesses that most close
- FEMA has a page on HOW TO HELP that gives contact information producing COVID-19 related products. *Contact the SBDC office if you want more detail on the challenges of creating/manufacturing personal protective products, and we'll put you in touch with our International Trade Manager and other subject matter experts.
- Virginia Rapid Response COVID-19 Business Support Initiative: The Shen Valley Workforce Development Board has received funding to assist employers eligible to remain open during emergency. Funds are reserved for small businesses. More information and application process at vcwvalley.com.
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COVID-19 Resources
Provided by the Shenandoah Valley Partnership
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership has provided an incredible list of helpful resources for our region. We have included a few of these links from their website, but we encourage you to take a look on their page, as they will be updating it routinely with additional resources. Please visit
https://theshenandoahvalley.com/covid-19-resources/ to view the entire list.
Business Resources
Emergency Loan Programs
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Local Resources
Questions regarding finances? Reach out to your financial institution. Payment deferral programs exist at many banks for businesses and consumers.
State Resources
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Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
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BidWrangler, Harrisonburg (Customer Success Team Member)
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James Madison University IT Dept, Harrisonburg (Linux System
Administrator
)
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Generate Impact, Harrisonburg (Tech Lead)
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Segra, Waynesboro (IT Operations Technician)
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Harrisonburg High School (Computer Science Teacher)
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Augusta County Service Authority, Verona (Systems Analyst/Developer)
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)
Currently there are 18 channels and over 450 members.
Sign-up
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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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Silver Level Member
Level III Members
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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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