The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center will partner with the SoVA Innovation Hub to play a key role in expanding youth entrepreneurship instruction.

The SOVA Innovation Hub was recently awarded a $600,000 grant from GO Virginia to strengthen the collective regional entrepreneurship initiative known as RISE Collaborative. This substantial investment is set to fortify Southern Virginia’s standing as a central hub for fostering small business growth, innovation, and economic development.

SVHEC will expand its role as a grant partner by providing youth entrepreneurship instruction through SVHEC’s successful Career Tech Academy. “We are grateful for this opportunity to expand our role with the RISE Collaborative,” said SVHEC Executive Director Dr. Betty Adams. “Adding an entrepreneurship track to the CTA Work-Based Learning Program will increase the critical knowledge, skills, and opportunities that students need to gain employment or create their own small businesses. This benefits local communities and further enriches our growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

RISE Collaborative brings together makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators of all backgrounds, interests, and experiences from across Southern Virginia to support the growth of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Through programs, events, and online network, entrepreneurs gain a supportive community of peers, direct access to business resource providers, dynamic training and skill-building content, and value-added networking opportunities. Learn more at www.sovarise.com.