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The Shenandoah Valley Connection
May 28, 2021
Tech Nite 21 | June 16, 2021
Nominees Announced | Reservations Open
June 16, 2021 | Tech Nite 21

Reservations now open! Get yourself a seat.

Tech Nite is the Shenandoah Valley's largest technology celebration of the year! On June 16, we will again highlight the successes of technology firms, organizations, and programs in the region and the entrepreneurs, innovators, leaders, and educators behind those successes. Tech Nite will again be in a virtual platform (Remo) that easily facilitates moving around at-will for excellent networking!

And the 2021 nominees are....
Innovation in Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award is given to an individual, team, nonprofit/civic organization, or company in the Shenandoah Valley that aspires to use its capabilities to help solve a social or environmental issue in a local community while using technology to amplify the impact of a service, mission, or project.
Innovation in Emerging Business Award
Awarded to a Shenandoah Valley start-up/emerging technology company or entrepreneur.



Innovation in Education K-12 Award
Awarded to the educator or program in K-12 that provides exceptional technology leadership, innovative use, and/or development of technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math.



Innovation in Higher Education Award
(Sponsorship available! Please see Sponsorship Information for details.)
Awarded to the educator or program in higher education that provides exceptional technology leadership, innovative use, and/or development of technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math.


Innovation in Development Award
Awarded to a company or organization whose development of new technology applications and/or systems creates new processes, methodologies, and/or services for their own or others’ benefit.
Innovation in Utilization Award
This award recognizes outstanding commercial growth and achievement by an established company that either produces or markets high-tech products or services, or an established company or organization that produces/offers more traditional products and services (where technology itself is not the core business purpose).


Dr. Noftsinger Leadership Award
The recipient’s leadership has served as a catalyst for positive technology-related activity in the
Shenandoah Valley.

Joanie Eiland

Pam Carter
People's Choice Award
Awarded to one nominee from the other 7 categories at the end of the evening. ALL nominees are automatically candidates — and the company, organization, or individual with the most votes through social media *before* and *during* the event will win. Special hashtag will be announced for social voting.
Tech Nite 21 Serco People's Choice Award Voting has BEGUN!
Use the special hashtag #SVTCPC21 to vote! Pick your favorite nominee(s) and then craft either a public vote on IG or Twitter, or a private vote (via FB Messenger bot named “Walter”). This is another chance for the 19 nominees to win an award – in the People’s Choice Award category (PCA).

ALL 19 nominees are candidates, and anyone (only humans; no automation) can vote for a favorite.

Who can vote?
Can a colleague vote? Yes. Friend? Yes. Grandma? Yes. The fan club – yes. Everyone can vote multiple times. (We are displaying the votes as they come in.


How the voting is going, right now
https://my.walls.io/SVTCPC21

Where to vote:
Social media posts that use the hashtag #SVTCPC21 AND the name of the nominee (or company/organization) will be counted.

Use these options:
  • Twitter or IG accts (set to public) plus #SVTCPC21 and the nominee name
  • Those that do not have a Twitter or IG account, or don’t want to make a public post, can send a private Facebook Messenger note to “Walter,” a bot (see below)

We’ll accumulate votes before and through the night of the event. The winner will be announced at the end of the event.

Voting with the Walter Messenger bot:
This option is great for anyone who doesn’t have a public Twitter and IG account! Open your Facebook Messenger and send a direct vote to the bot “Walter.” (He is the Walls.io Facebook Messenger bot.) It’s easy. All you need to do is:

  1. Open your Facebook Messenger, and compose a new message.
  2. In the “To” box write: Talk to Walter.
  3. Once that populates, type out your enthusiasm for your nominee and remember the hashtag (e.g. I want [nominee name] to win. She is the best. #SVTCPC21).
  4. If you see the suggestion “post to wall,” click it.

FYI, “Walter” accepts pictures and graphics as well — send the picture first, then follow it up with a message and the hashtag. “Walter” is now active and ready for your votes!
ICAP Introductory Course | Virtual Cohort
(app. deadline 6/27)
Based on the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ 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 cyber-related solutions, but all companies are encouraged to apply:
  • Software 
  • Telecommunications 
  • Information & Communication Technologies 
  • E-Commerce 
  • Networking & Equipment 
  • Electronics/Instrumentation 
  • Sensors
  • Materials 
  • Drones 
  • IoT

This cohort is being supported, in part, by the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, an investment in the advancement of cyber R&D, innovation, and workforce development. For more information about CCI, please visit their website. 

Important Dates
  • June 27, 2021 – Applications are due by midnight (2 days before introductory call)
  • June 29, 2021 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm – Introductory Webinar
  • July 6, 2021 – Acceptance notifications and communication with next steps (7 days after Intro call)
  • July 13, 2021 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – Customer Segments and Initial Team Presentations
  • July 14, 2021 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – Value Proposition
  • July 15, 2021 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – Customer Discovery
  • July 22, 2021 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – Each team reviews their Customer Discovery Progress over the first week
  • July 27, 2021 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm – 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.

For more information email: icap@virginiasbdc.org  


SBA Launches
“Getting Back on Track: Help Is Here”
Webinar Series to Help America’s Small Business
Owners & Entrepreneurs
WASHINGTON (May 20, 2021) –The U.S. Small Business Administration and the non-profit Public Private Strategies Institute present a new regional webinar series, “Getting Back on Track: Help is Here,” to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with information and resources needed to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The educational webinars feature speakers from The White House, the SBA, members of Congress, and small business leaders, and will provide updates on the American Rescue Plan.

“The 'Getting Back on Track: Help is Here' webinar series is an important outreach effort to help small businesses recover, rebuild and gain resiliency,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “Small businesses are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as marketplaces and main streets reopen thanks to strong vaccination rates. We are empowering small businesses to reopen fully and safely by connecting them with helpful resources and tools, including the Biden-Administration's tax credits that cover paid time-off for employees getting vaccinated. We all must double down on our efforts to help our beloved small businesses survive and get our economy back on track.”

“This webinar series is designed to reach the hardest-hit small business owners across the country with regionally focused conversations connecting them to local resources and to give them the steps they need to build back better,” said Rhett Buttle, Public Private Strategies Institute senior advisor. “The program will focus on three key areas: economic recovery and access to capital options, digital tools, and resources to allow small business owners to be vaccine leaders with their employees and communities.”

The series builds on successful national webinars hosted by the SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s action to create additional access to the Paycheck Protection Program for America’s smallest businesses. The webinars provided resources and information to 80,000+ small business owners across the country.

The webinar for districts in the SBA’s Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, Maryland, Eastern & Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia) is Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 2 p.m. EDT. To join is or other regional webinars in this series and learn more about programs helping small businesses get back on track, register at Getting Back on Track: Help is Here! Webinars will also be recorded and made available on www.sba.gov shortly after the live presentation.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
DefiSummer Hacks by Minority Programmers Association (6/1-8/15)
This summer is DeFi. Decentralized finance. Where anyone has access to the global economy. We are challenging up to teams of 1-5 from all around the world (all Summer) to build on the latest decentralized platforms and win opportunities, prizes, and cryptocurrencies!

Participate in hands-on workshops throughout the month to learn from the leading blockchain developers, economists, entrepreneurs, and software engineers. Showcase your projects on the hottest tech this summer.

This is a student run hackathon organized by the Minority Programmers. Join the international network of developers teaming up together to empower the world through technology.
Leading Human Powered Innovation
Certificate Program (6/14-6/17)
June 14 - 17, 2021 | Lakeview Hall, JMU, Harrisonburg

No matter the question, it seems the answer is increased automation, improved artificial intelligence, or the highest of high-tech solutions... but you want to be a leader of humans in a tech-driven world.

Here's the truth - unless humans imagine, create, design, perfect, and adopt the tech solutions you need, you aren't going anywhere. Innovation can be more than a buzzword on a glossy brochure, but it requires self-aware leaders who can build collaborative teams of critical and creative thinkers.

The Certificate in Leading Human-Powered Innovation is the credential that demonstrates your ability to lead thoughtful teams to create impact by finding the problems that matter most, creating novel solutions, navigating complex bureaucracies, and unleashing innovation to change your world.

Certificate holders will be able to:
  • Lead small teams to develop creative solutions to tough problems
  • Foster trusting collaboration to enable team members to bring their personal experiences, unique skills, and whole selves to problem solving
  • Improve and lead others to improve personal and collective critical thinking skills
  • Foster a creative environment and lead small-group creative sessions to generate possible solutions to vexing problems
  • Lead the adoption of novel technologies to improve, rather than replace, unquely human skills
  • Create human-centered innovation strategies

Signups are limited for this small-group, hands-on, interactive program.

In-person registration fee includes 4 nights lodging at Hotel Madison and 2 meals/day. (Lower price for those who do not need meals & lodging)
Project THRIVE | Rebuilding, Relaunching, and Reviving Local Businesses
(nonprofit apps. due 6/15)
Project THRIVE is a six-week, virtual series that aims to help rebuild, relaunch, and revive local businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic.

The Project THRIVE team is looking for a total of 8 to 10 businesses AND 8 to 10 nonprofit organizations to join their first two cohorts. Selected businesses will start their sessions on June 7, 20201, and end July 15, 2021. Selected nonprofits will start their sessions on July 19, 20201, and end August 26, 2021.

All organizations based in the Shenandoah Valley are welcome to apply.

Additional information and applications at https://www.jmu.edu/pce/partner/ProjectTHRIVE.shtml
Tech-Girls Online Workshop Series (May)
The Tech-Girls Online Workshop series for girls is intended for girls 5th through 8th grade! Research shows that after-school programs offering both fun, hands-on computer science (CS) activities and access to female role models in computing careers provide opportunities for adolescent girls to understand what they can do with CS and to aspire to CS-related careers. These are exactly the goals of this new workshop series that we are piloting this month. As Tech-Girls launches this new initiative, they are also excited to be part of a study through the University of Virginia School of Education that will help look at the impact of this program. Registration is free, but space is limited!

Design, Code and Stitch with Sarah Fitz Henry & Kim Wilkens, co-hosts of Once Upon a Tech podcasts. Did you know you can code patterns and send them to an embroidery machine to bring them to life? Learn how to create your own patterns and help Kim test out her new embroidery machine!

Computational modeling for decision-making under climate change uncertainty with Dr. Julie Quinn, assistant professor in Engineering Systems and Environment at UVA. Almost every decision you make is under uncertainty. Will I need a rain jacket in the afternoon? Will they say yes if I ask them to the movies? Is 1 hour enough time to finish this assignment? Oftentimes, we can use computational modeling to simulate different scenarios of what might happen in the future to inform what decisions are best on average, or what decisions minimize the worst case outcome.
Looking for 2021 STEM and tech summer activities? Then look no further! We know that both parents and kids are ready for some summer fun after a long year of staying at home, so we’ve gathered a listing of local tech activities for kids for the summer of 2021! Ranging from workshops to camps, this summer is full of technology and STEM activities. Browse the links below and/or share the list with others! See details below.


Summer Camps by JMU Professional & Continuing Education | In-Person
James Madison University, Harrisonburg

Summer Explorer Camps | In-Person
Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg

Learning Can Be Fun Program | Online
Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave

BRCC Intro to Advanced Manufacturing | (FREE)
Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave

Summer Camps by Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum | In-Person
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, Winchester

STEM Summer Camps by STEM Innovators | In-Person
Easely Created Studio, Winchester

Summer Spark ’21 by St. Anne’s Belfield School CS | In-Person or Online
St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Charlottesville

Know of other techy summer camps in the Shen. Valley that are not on our list? Send them along! admin@svtc-va.org.
Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs

  • Software Engineer II – Octoservices, GitHub | Remote
  • Developer, Generate Impact | Harrisonburg
  • Computer Programming and Website Design Program Manager, Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave
  • 4 Positions: Lead Drupal Developer, Web Programmer (Python/Django), UX Design Specialist, Data Visualization Developer | Urban Institute | Remote (or DC Area)
  • Full-Stack Software Engineer | Sproutly | New Market
  • DevOps Engineer, Quantic School of Business and Technology | Remote
  • Full-Stack Software Engineer, Quantic School of Business and Tech | Remote 
  • 3D Developer - AR Support, The Scylla Group | Winchester
  • Front End Developer, The Scylla Group | Winchester
  • Solder Technician, VIRTEX | Waynesboro

GOT ADDITIONAL TECH JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED? 
SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
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