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8 Ways UMW SBDC Prepares You to do Business with the Government

May 28, 2019 by

8 Ways SBDC … [Read more...]

Veteran Business Boot Camp Deemed Success

May 14, 2019 by

Fredericksburg, VA: The UMW Center for Economic Development partnered with the Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism Office and the Stafford County Economic Development Authority to host the semiannual Veterans Business Bootcamp. The Veterans Business Bootcamp is a free program provided to all Veterans, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their spouses. The curriculum provides assistance to those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities by leading them through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and providing foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan. Former military service men and women, who became Entrepreneurs, are the speakers for the program. They share their experiences and go over a wide array of topics including developing a business model, a great customer experience, establishing legal entities, financing a small business, and providing procurement assistance. The … [Read more...]

StartUpUMW Graduates Largest Cohort of Entrepreneurs

May 10, 2019 by

Fredericksburg, VA: StartUpUMW, a student entrepreneurial program of the University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development, graduated 15 students on Monday, April 22. This is the 6th and largest cohort of students to go through the program. This semester enrollment doubled in size and it is expected to grow from here. “Every semester I am more impressed and more optimistic about the entrepreneurial culture and the potential that exists among the student body,” says Kelsey Whitman, StartUpUMW Manager. “I love watching this group of students grow with all the support of the local community.” StartUpUMW is for the entrepreneurial student who runs a small business, has a business idea, or would like to learn about entrepreneurship and how to create an enterprise. It is designed as a real-world learning experience where students learn about business from business owners and they develop their own concept. StartUpUMW is a collaboration between the UMW Center for Economic … [Read more...]

Eagle Innovation Competition at UMW Awards $3,500 to Student Entrepreneurs

May 9, 2019 by

Fredericksburg, VA: On April 20, the Fredericksburg small business community, local economic development offices, and banks came together in a big show of support for student entrepreneurship at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) and Germanna Community College. Fourteen student teams pitched their business ideas for an opportunity to win $3,500 in seed capital at the first Eagle Innovation Pitch Competition held at UMW. The first place prize of $2,000 was awarded to UMW sophomore Mariana Patterson for her startup Bee Buzzed Candle Company. This company produces 100 percent organic beeswax candles. The second place prize of $1,000 went to UMW students Ethan Cory, Patrick Fairfield, and Michael Gilchrist of Pip’s Tips, a children’s education mobile application that teaches youth how to do simple tasks like tying your shoes or riding a bike. The third place prize of $500 went to two Germanna students Quinton Mcreynolds and Brandon Davis of Quantum Glyphics, a branding … [Read more...]

Health Services Company, Care 4U, Receives First Enterprise Center Nano-Loan Funding

April 29, 2016 by

Shenita Rich, owner of "Care4u Home Care, received funds from the Northern Neck Nano Loan Program to grow her business. Care4U is a client of the UMW-SBDC Warsaw Office and a resident of the Northern Neck Enterprise Center (NNEC). The NNEC is a business incubation center established to help accelerate small company success in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development. According to Ms. Rich, “Care4U Home Care will offer personal care to clients in the comfort of their own homes.” Some of the services offered will include but are not limited to help with activities of daily light housekeeping, transportation to and from appointments, and preparing light meals. The UMW SBDC helped Ms. Rich complete and submit information to the Virginia Department of Licensure that, once approved, will allow her to provide the in-home services throughout the Northern Neck community. The Northern Neck Enterprise Center is part of an overall strategy of the … [Read more...]

Cyber Company CRISP LLC Moves to Commercialize New Tech

April 28, 2016 by

Arnold Webster, CEO of Cyber Research and Intelligent Solutions Provider LLC (CRISP), is an innovation client at the UMW SBDC. CRISP was formed to be a cutting-edge research firm. They create products which address the risks of living in a more digitized economy. Recently Mr. Webster's company was accepted into the Virginia SBDC Network’s Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP). This program assists Virginia companies in developing technologies and getting innovation to validated markets. The UMW SBDC helps clients complete the application process which includes a detailed product description. All product submissions are assessed for their viability in the market place. Mr. Webster shared, “The guidance of the University of Mary Washington SBDC in this process has been invaluable. In turn, ICAP has been extremely instrumental in the commercializing new technology with various scientists and cybersecurity subject matter experts.” Once CRISP enters the commercialization … [Read more...]

Veterans….Serving those who serve us

April 27, 2016 by

This Spring we celebrated the recognition of Fred Wellman as the Virginia Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year.  Part of his journey involves participation on the Veteran Owned Business Executive Roundtable (VOBER), using the Small Business Development Center and support of the Veterans Resource Center at UMW.  Veterans are significant to our regional economy.  Suburban Stats and Vetdata estimate that nearly 10% of those who live in Virginia are veterans. They continue their mission in business, education, government and those things that improve our quality of life.  We are proud that the VOBER helped establish the UMW Veterans Endowment. The purpose of the endowment is to ensure that the men and women who gave through military duty to our country would have resources to grow at the University of Mary Washington.  Help us serve those who have served or continue to serve us through military service by making a gift to the Veterans Endowment. Thank you, Brian J. Baker, Executive … [Read more...]

Brian Baker Elected to Fredericksburg Regional Chamber Board

March 2, 2016 by

Brian Baker, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Development, was elected to the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for a three-year term that began on January 1, 2016. He has been an active member at the Chamber since 2002. During that time he has served roles on the Strategic Planning Committee, facilitated Board strategic planning, Finance Committee, the strategic visioning committee, the small business planning committee, the Leadership Fredericksburg Advisory Board, Mentor Cabinet Chair, and served as a Leadership Fredericksburg mentor since 2008 . In 2011 he was recognized as an honorary fellow of Leadership Fredericksburg. Learn more about the UMW Center for Economic Development at economicdevelopment.umw.edu/ . … [Read more...]

Lisa Hull, Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator at the Northern Neck Planning District Commission, Applauds New Northern Neck Enterprise Center

March 2, 2016 by

The new Northern Neck Enterprise Center is a multi-use business incubation facility. Clients benefit from private office and conference space as well as technical assistance and training through the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center-Warsaw Office. Lisa Hull shared at a recent partnership meeting with staff from the Center for Economic Development, "The Northern Neck Enterprise Center is part of an overall strategy of the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Region Partnership to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Northern Neck. It supports businesses in the early stages of organization to maximize chances of business success." For more information on the Warsaw SBDC visit economicdevelopment.umw.edu/sbdc/ . … [Read more...]

Warsaw SBDC Director Joy Corprew Elected Board Member of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce

March 1, 2016 by

Warsaw SBDC Director Joy Corprew was elected as a Board Member of the Warsaw-Richmond County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber serves as the voice of the business community to the government, town council, supervisors and state legislature. Joy has been a regular speaker at Chamber meetings through the years and has been an active member since 2003. She has conducted several presentations at the Chamber on services provided by the UMW SBDC, available business classes, and the HP LIFE Entrepreneurial Curriculum. Joy states " I find it an honor to have been elected a board member of the Warsaw-Richmond County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a lot planned for 2016 and I am looking forward to working with them in order to support our small businesses." For more information on the Warsaw SBDC please visit economicdevelopment.umw.edu/sbdc/ . … [Read more...]