Economic Vitality
Exploring the future of opportunity-filled communities.
A robust economy and an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem are essential components of a thriving hometown. Tom Tom highlights the work of leaders from across the country who are shaping dialogues about how to create opportunity-filled communities, starting in Charlottesville.
Convening ecosystem builders
from coast to coast.
Tom Tom works year-round with entrepreneurs, civic leaders, artists, nonprofits, investors, philanthropists, and citizens to trade ideas about how to bolster opportunity across sectors. This work culminates at our Summit’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Creative Ecosystems conferences.
Connecting statewide and
mid-Atlantic networks.
Cities across Virginia are accelerating the growth of startups. Tom Tom connects innovators and investment stakeholders with Accelerator Showcases, Roundtables, workshops, and competitions. In 2018 and 2019, Tom Tom hosted the American Evolution Innovators Cup as part of the Commonwealth’s 400th-anniversary Commemoration.
Entrepreneurship for all.
We believe entrepreneurship is not just for high-growth startups — it’s a community value embodied by small businesses and mom-and-pop shops. Pitch nights allow budding entrepreneurs to share their vision with the community—and to compete for microgrants. Our annual Crowdfunded Pitch Night was created in partnership with the Community Investment Collaborative and UVA partners like the i.Lab and Batten Institute.
Local industry empowerment.
Tom Tom creates space for local industry leaders to collaborate and coordinate. In 2012, we began a long-standing partnership with the Community Investment Collaborative and Hack-Cville. In subsequent years, the Charlottesville Renewable Energy Association (2017) and the CvilleBioHub (2018) launched at the Summit and have continued collaborative programming that highlights the clean energy and biotech industries in Charlottesville.
Interested in entrepreneurship programing?
Check out what's in store at our virtual Cities Rising Summit this fall!