The Hive - Mind your Business Better...

The Hive - Mind your Business Better...

Ignite Business Series Pitch Competition

The Ignite Business Series Pitch Competition (“Contest”) is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach (“City”) and is open to residents of the City of Virginia Beach that are at least eighteen (18) years old (“Contestants”). Contestants are invited to pitch a business idea to a panel of judges for critique and feedback (“Presentations”). Contestants will have up to twenty (20) minutes to make a Presentation and up to ten (10) additional minutes to respond to questions, if required, from the judges.

Apply here to have your company considered for Ignite Business Series Pitch on March 12, 2022, in the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Please review the rules here to determine Contest eligibility.

Final entry deadline: January 14, 2022 at 11:59 pm PT.

About the Hive

Get your company on the path to success.

The Hive in Town Center is designed to support an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Hampton Roads through collaboration with the City of Virginia Beach, academic institutions, other cities in Hampton Roads, Small Business Associations, and other entrepreneurial-related organizations. Partnerships and collaboration are the core of the center’s approach to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the City of Virginia Beach.

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.

• About Us

• Services

• Resources

• Partners

We strive to serve as a hub of knowledge for the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Beach and beyond. We look forward to solidifying the foundations of any business that wants our help.

Our Vision

The mission of The Hive is designed to support an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem within the City of Virginia Beach and other Hampton Roads cities. Our goal is to solidify the foundation of any business that seeks our services. The center aims to become a center of business knowledge and cutting-edge information that relates to the economy and business trends for students, staff, and faculty of Virginia Beach and beyond.

Location

The Hive is located in Virginia Beach's Town Center. Town Center is a convenient location because members can enjoy close access to work, live and play - all are within walking distance. The location is in the center of Virginia Beach with access to the region’s arts, dining, and entertainment. The Hive is offering its community the opportunity to grow and scale early-stage startups. In order for this to take place effectively, one must be among like-minded individuals in the city and the financial center of Virginia Beach.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Strategy & Organization
• Corporate Development
• Promotional Services
• ​Access to a Community of Entrepreneurs
• ​Meeting Room Access
• ​High-Speed Wi-fi

Events & Business Forums - Functioning as an inclusive and accessible location addressing the resource needs of the start-up and small business while fostering a networking system for hosting and co-hosting forums that will serve as a venue for shared knowledge and brainstorming events. Visit this page, to see The Hive-sponsored events.

Co-working Platform- Designed to assist small businesses by providing the amenities to increase the impact of their enterprise and strengthen their scope as contributors to the local economy.

Startup Training – Providing entrepreneurs with a disciplined approach to entrepreneurship including customer discovering, problem-solving, product developing, and launching a business.

Partnerships and Collaboration - To encourage and sustain innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering relationships. The goal is to partner with corporates and entrepreneurs for reasons such as funding, expertise, networking, and innovation.

Getting your business off the ground?

Here are some helpful forms!

Business Finance Balance Sheet Cash Flow Budget Worksheet Daily Cash Sheet Income State	Capital Loans and Grants Economic Development Loan Fund SWAM Business Microloan Application Personal Financial Statement​	Credit Enhancement Programs SSBCI Cash Collateral Program Instructions Lender Application Borrower Application
Starting up the Business Initial Cash Needs	Child Care Financial Programs​ CCFP Application for Child Care Centers ​CCFP Application for Family Home Providers Personal Financial Statement​	Loan Guaranty Program Lender's Guaranty Agreement LGP Borrower's Agreement Lender's LGP Application Borrower's LGP Application

Learn more about financing your business here!

Partners of The HIVE

The City of Virginia Beach partnered with Virginia Wesleyan University, Tidewater Community College, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and other agencies to provide resources for the citizens negatively impacted by the pandemic and seeking new employment and training.

The Cooper Law Firm Fulton Bank Hampton Roads Workforce Council LISC SBDC SBSD

Tidewater Community College Truist Poole Brooke Plumlee Urban League of Hampton Roads, Virginia Wesleyan University Women's Business Center