The HIVE - Where Businesses Thrive
The HIVE - Where Businesses Thrive
Get your company on the path to success.
The HIVE is a business resource center designed to support an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Virginia Beach. The HIVE offers mentorship, networking, and a variety of fundamental resources to those who need them.
Our Mission
The HIVE is a business resource center designed to promote an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Virginia Beach. The HIVE is committed to serving small businesses, particularly those that are in socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
Purpose
The HIVE’s objective is to accelerate, establish, and showcase innovation and startups by translating insights into actionable strategies, rethinking the customer experience, improving operational experience and efficiency as well as testing new business models through the use of technology.
The HIVE is the result of a successful collaboration among the City of Virginia Beach, academic institutions, other cities in the metropolitan area, Small Business Associations, and other entrepreneurial-related organizations in Virginia Beach and beyond.
The HIVE focuses on offering its community the opportunity to grow and scale early-stage businesses by acting as a knowledge hub, providing useful resources, and connecting like-minded individuals in the City and the region to help businesses flourish.
We strive to serve as a hub of knowledge for small businesses in Virginia Beach. We look forward to solidifying the foundations of any business that wants our help.
What
The HIVE offers individualized consulting, training programs, seminars, procurement assistance, capital formation, mentorship, networking, and a variety of fundamental resources to start-ups and established small businesses within a cooperative network of government agencies, educational institutions, private sector and community organizations.
Where
The HIVE is located in the Town Center of Virginia Beach, in the heart of the City’s Central Business District, where some of the region’s most prominent businesses are headquartered. It is a convenient location to meet with mentors and get access to a variety of resources.
Who
The HIVE is reserved for the exclusive use of entrepreneurs and existing businesses that need on-site resources to help guide them to growth and success.
The HIVE is perfect for:
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Parking
Download directions here.
At The HIVE, We Can Help You With:
| Business start up | Industry-related certifications |
| Business plan development | Grant and loan application assistance |
| Guidance and connections for financing, marketing, and product development | Hiring, training and managing staff |
| City permitting and processes | Vocational education |
Zoning-related questions | Basic skills (e.g., English, math) |
| Business licensing | Hard skills (e.g., welding, IT) |
| Government certifications | Soft skills (e.g., work ethic, attitude) |
At The HIVE You'll Have Access to:
One-Stop Shop Free Counseling Services
It's not a sales pitch, and it's not an investor pitch.
1 Million Cups is a global initiative of the Kauffman Foundation (www.kauffman.org) to support, educate and promote local entrepreneurs.
The Virginia Beach chapter (known locally as "Shark Tank….Without the Bite") was launched in 2015 by the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development and the local entrepreneur community. Over the years, more than 1400 entrepreneurs and small business owners have attended the meetings. If you are a local business owner or startup 1 Million Cups is a great place to refine your presentation skills, apply to present today here.
For more information, contact Letitia Langaster, Business Development Manager, Virginia Beach Economic Development at (757) 385-6412 or visit this page.
For information on the Operation Hope program contact Theresa Tumber below:
Tuesdays and Thursdays at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (By Appointment Only)
(757) 276-1469 // Theresa.tumber@operationhope.org
The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) offers free business counseling if you are considering starting a business.
Tuesdays at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
Walk-ins and by Appointment
c.caton@scorevolunteer.org
The SWaM Business Office is dedicated to the growth and development of small, women, and minority-owned businesses, including service-disabled/veteran-owned businesses by providing resources and trainings to assist your business in obtaining contracts with the City of Virginia Beach.
For information on the SBSD program contact Angela Barber below:
Mondays at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (By Appointment Only)
(757) 385-6585 // angela.barber@sbsd.virginia.gov
For information on the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Virginia PTAC) program contact Daryl Corley below:
Wednesdays at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (By Appointment Only)
(540) 538-1959 // dcorley@gmu.edu
For information on the Hampton Roads Workforce Council contact Deborah "DeDe" Bailey below:
Monday through Friday at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
By Appointment Only
(757) 629-4695 // dbailey@theworkforcecouncil.org
Helpful Links
Available Small Business Grants
The following grants may be helpful to entrepreneurs and CEOs of emerging and new businesses.
Read MoreContact Information
The HIVE
140 Independence Blvd.
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
(Virginia Beach Town Center at the corner of Independence Blvd. and Columbus St.)
Phone: (757) 385-2470 // Email: thehive@vbgov.com