The HIVE - VB Business Resource Center
The HIVE - VB Business Resource Center
Grow Business in Virginia Beach
Federal Business Accelerator
ScaleUP USA has partnered with The HIVE to launch a local chapter of the Federal Business Accelerator at Virginia Beach to create local companies, jobs, and competitiveness in the Virginia Beach region. Join the program now.
Thrive @ The HIVE
Supporting Small Business and the Entrepreneurial Spirit
The program is open to Virginia Beach startups, home-based businesses and Hampton Roads military spouse entrepreneurs.
Access to Capital
The following grants may be helpful to entrepreneurs and CEOs of emerging and new businesses.
Small Business Development Grant
Proposed Application and Program Schedule
Related Documents
Register for the pre-application workshops (one per applicant) - a mandatory step to apply for the grant
Download our recent newsletter or sign up for our newsletter distribution list.
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 startups 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.
At The HIVE, We Can Assist You With:
| Business startup | Industry-related certifications |
| Business plan development | Grant and loan application assistance |
| Business legal | Hiring, training and managing staff |
| Business insurance | Marketing and product development |
| Guidance and connections for financing | Talent innovation |
| Government contracting | One-on-one counseling |
Capital access formation | Vocational education and skills |
City permitting and processes | Hard skills (e.g., welding, IT) |
| Business licensing | Soft skills (e.g., work ethic, attitude, leadership and communication) |
| Government certifications | Zoning-related questions |
| Mentorship |
At The HIVE You'll Have Access to:
The HIVE: 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. The VB HIVE (140 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA) is the new home for this event, which is held on the third Wednesday at 9 a.m. If you are a local business owner or startup, 1 Million Cups is a great place to refine your presentation skills.
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 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
For information on the Operation Hope program contact Theresa Tumber below:
Mondays and Wednesdays at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (By Appointment Only)
(757) 276-1469 | Theresa.tumber@operationhope.org
Promise Land Capital is a trusted financial partner committed to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with access to capital and strategic financial solutions. As a leading provider of funding services, we specialize in facilitating SBA loans, a program renowned for its support of commercial real estate ventures.
Services include:
Contact Guordan Banks at opportunity@promiseland.capital
The SCORE offers free business counseling if you are considering starting a business.
By appointment; at The HIVE (140 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach)
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 training sessions to assist your business in obtaining contracts with the City of Virginia Beach.
For information on the Virginia APEX Accelerator 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
From resume-building workshops to business planning guides, the library serves as a valuable hub for professional development and entrepreneurial support in the Virginia Beach community.
Please contact Dorothy Williams at DMWillia@vbgov.com or (757) 385-0124.
For information on the SBSD program contact Angela Barber below:
Monday through Friday 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
Please check out our latest newsletter to find out more business resource partners offering one-on-one counseling sessions.
Helpful Links
Contact Information
The HIVE
140 Independence Blvd.
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
(Virginia Beach Town Center at the corner of Independence Blvd. and Columbus St.)