News: Veteran Owned, Grants, Webinars - Resources you can use

From the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

August 31, 2021

CELEBRATING LOCAL SUCCESS

The Central Virginia SBDC team is launching a new series in our newsletters celebrating inventive entrepreneurs! Once a month we will feature a local success story. 

HONORING VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

The Virginia Small Business Development Center recognizes Veteran-owned business contributions with an annual award.

To recognize the effort of veterans– and the successes that follow– the Virginia Small Business Development Center has the Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year Award. The award itself is a specially designed plaque, given to the winner. In addition, all winners have their names inscribed on a plaque prominently displayed at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

Your local Central Virginia SBDC is looking for Veteran-owned businesses to include in this program and nominate for the award.

The program is open to any Veteran who:

Has been honorably discharged from active duty or retired from any US branch of military service

Is active in Reserve or National Guard units

Possesses a DD214 (copy to be included in the application)

Currently owns at least 51% of a Virginia-based business

Has owned the business for at least one year

Is living in Virginia at the time of their nomination and award

Is not a past winner of the Veteran Small Business of the Year Award

Click the link below to learn more and nominate yourself or another deserving Veteran for this high honor.

Featured Upcoming Events 

QuadTank Pitch Prep

September 10 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

In conjunction with the QuadTank Pitch Competition, the Central Virginia SBDC team will offer this event to walk you through the secrets to a winning pitch. We will discuss how to make the most of your ten minutes before the judges with plenty of time for Q & A. Individual meetings can be scheduled after the session.

This event will be recorded and the video made available for anyone unable to attend on September 10 who would still like to participate in the QuadTank Pitch Competition. Please contact Shira at events@cvsbdc.org if you would like the recording of the Pitch Prep event.

QuadCounty Business Summit and QuadTank Pitch Competition

October 20 | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Join representatives and businesses from 5 counties -Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, and Orange- for a half-day of IN-PERSON networking at the QuadCounty Business Summit. The event will take place at The Pavilion on Lakeland Farm.

The Summit will also include a keynote speaker, local business owner panel discussion with Q&A, and the Annual QuadTank, a winner take all pitch competition.

Local Business will win $6,500 in QuadCounty Pitch Contest 

Want to compete for the annual QuadTank $6,500 prize? Apply today and start preparing your pitch!

Business must located in one of the five counties involved to qualify for the QuadTank Pitch Competition.

State/Local Government Contracting: SWaM Certification

September 9 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Looking to get into Government Contracting but confused on where to start? Join speaker Courtney Mustin to learn about SWaM Certification.

Topics covered in this workshop:

Details/benefits of the small business set-aside preference program

Navigating the SWaM application process

Positioning your business for greater success at winning a contract

Live demo and walk through of the SWaM certification website

This program is a recommended prerequisite to eVA training.

Future Proofing Your Business with Blockchain

September 2 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

This session will cover:

Introduction to Blockchain

Blockchain vs. bitcoin – how are they different?

How Blockchain can be used for Small Business

Accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment

Use of smart contracts

Using blockchain to raise capital

Looking towards the future of Blockchain Technologies

Moving towards cryptocurrency as national currency

Industry Applications

Safety and Privacy Concerns

National Small Business Week

September 13 - 15, 2021

The National Small Business Week Virtual Summit is just around the corner. The event will take place September 13 – September 15, when you can learn new business strategies, meet other business owners, and chat with industry experts. This free online event will include educational webinars, updates on resources for small businesses, and a networking chat room for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

More upcoming events and trainings:

SBA Grants for Global Expansion | Sept 9, 2:00 - 2:30pm | Register

Starting Your Business | Sept 16, 10:00 am - 12:00pm | Register

Attracting, Retaining and Reskilling Talent | Sept 30, 9:00 - 10:30am | Register

Pitch Preview Application Deadline | Oct 25, 11:59pm | Apply

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and statewide training offerings

FUNDING NEWS

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant 

SBA will begin sending invitations for supplemental awards for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program.

SVOG supplemental awards are to be provided to those who received an initial grant and have illustrated a 70% loss when comparing 2021’s first-quarter revenues to the same in 2019.

Supplemental award applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant’s disbursement date.

This newsletter is sponsored by F&M Bank. Thank you for your support of our entrepreneurs.

Central Virginia Small Business Development Center | Visit our website

Charlottesville main office phone: 434-295-8198 Culpeper direct phone: 540-727-0638

Culpeper office: 803 South Main Street, Culpeper, VA 22701