Empowering innovators for the greater good
UVA Innovates is a platform to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia.
About UsUVA Innovates has launched a series of new initiatives to address critical unmet needs in UVA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Signature Initiatives include spaces, services, and enrichment opportunities to make the connections that will transform ideas into reality.
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Enterprise Studio
The place to commercialize: where UVA faculty, research staff & graduate researchers bring the best ideas to the world.
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Commonwealth BioAccelerator
The region’s first wet lab accelerator at UVA’s North Fork Discovery Park.
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Solutions Labs
A suite of thematically driven laboratories focused on translating discoveries into solutions. (Forthcoming)
UVA Innovates helps coordinate, communicate, and amplify a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurial initiatives around Grounds. Ecosystem partners provide a wide array of services and support for entrepreneurial members of UVA’s community.
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Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology
The Batten Institute seeks to improve society by creating knowledge about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation and by cultivating principled, entrepreneurial leaders.
www.darden.virginia.edu
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School of Engineering - Office of Research and Innovation
The Engineering Office of Research and Innovation supports innovation and entrepreneurship by enhancing community connections and creating new funding synergies.
engineering.virginia.edu
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Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UVA McIntire encourages, educates, and empowers students—past and present—to take on roles in the startup community.
www.commerce.virginia.edu
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Social Entrepreneurship Program
The Minor in Social Entrepreneurship is an award-winning, pan-university program that empowers students to challenge the status quo.
batten.virginia.edu
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Hatch Accelerator
The Hatch Accelerator exists to remove barriers to growth for entrepreneurs in Southwest Virginia with robust and innovative programming.
www.hatchaccelerator.com
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Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic involves instruction and practical training on advising startup companies and drafting basic corporate documentation.
www.law.virginia.edu
UVA Innovates plays a leading role in engaging beyond our Grounds, working with others to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Charlottesville, the Commonwealth, and beyond. Here is a list of some of the Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) that help make our broader ecosystem vibrant.
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CvilleBioHub
We accelerate the biotechnology industry through engagement, resourcing and education.
cvillebiohub.org
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Venture Central
Venture Central works collaboratively to identify gaps, strengthen successful initiatives, and find solutions for unmet needs in Central Virginia.
www.venturecentralva.com
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434 Accelerator
434 is a long-format accelerator, providing select technology-driven, early-stage startups based in and around the Charlottesville area with nine months of program support.
www.434.co
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CODE
CODE creates a dynamic and healthy work environment that emphasizes principles of wellness and sustainability within the workplace while facilitating a diverse mix of tenants.
codebuilding.com
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Vault Virginia
A modern work & culture club where creativity & connectivity thrive. Meet you there.
www.vaultvirginia.com
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CBIC
We represent and support the interests of our area’s technology and innovation-based businesses at all stages of growth.
cvilleinnovation.org
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Community Investment Collaborative
CIC is a mission-driven non-profit in Charlottesville, VA that's empowering small business for big change.
cicville.org
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Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
VIPIC drives innovation and collaboration in Virginia's startup ecosystem through equity investments.
vipc.org
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Virginia Economic Development Partnership
VEDP is the state economic development authority for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
www.vedp.org
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GO Virginia
An initiative by Virginia’s senior business leaders to foster private-sector growth and job creation through state incentives.
govirginia.org
In The News
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UVA Innovates Impact Report 2024-2025
The 2024-2025 Impact Report highlights a transformative year for UVA Innovates, marking a bold new chapter in the University of Virginia’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the past year, we launched three Signature Initiatives—The Foundry, Enterprise Studio, and Commonwealth BioAccelerator—designed to support students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. In collaboration with Ecosystem Partners across UVA and Commonwealth Partnerships, these efforts are amplifying resources, fostering technological leadership, and driving economic growth across Virginia.
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Meet the UVA Student Building a Rare Coin Empire
University of Virginia fourth-year student Hunter Hicks is turning a childhood passion into a thriving business. Founder of Hicks Coins, Hicks has built a rare coin empire generating over $960,000 in revenue in 2024, all while studying at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and majoring in economics.
news.virginia.edu
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UVA Names Paul Cherukuri as Institution’s First Chief Innovation Officer
After a national search, the University of Virginia has named Paul Cherukuri its first chief innovation officer and the Donna and Richard Tadler University Professor of Entrepreneurship, pending approval by the Board of Visitors. He will begin on October 1. He will also hold faculty appointments in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the McIntire School of Commerce.
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Rethinking Startup Funding: What Entrepreneurs Should Do Before Raising Cash
The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business challenges conventional startup wisdom with insights from Professor Saras Sarasvathy, a global authority on entrepreneurial thinking. In her article, Sarasvathy emphasizes that formal funding isn’t essential to launch a successful business. Instead, she advocates for effectuation, a mindset where entrepreneurs build ventures using available resources, relationships, and stakeholder collaboration.
ideas.darden.virginia.edu