May 7, 2026
Entrepreneur Resource Center Opens at VTCRC, Creating a New Front Door for Founders
Blacksburg, VA — May 5, 2026 — Entrepreneurs, partners, and community members gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting and opening of the Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC) at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), officially launching a new hub designed to support founders, startups, and growing companies across Virginia.
Hosted by VTCRC in partnership with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), the May 5 ceremony marked a major milestone in a broader effort to strengthen the Commonwealth’s innovation ecosystem— bringing together partners and aligning resources to better support entrepreneurs, accelerate business growth, and expand opportunity.
Located in Blacksburg, the ERC serves as a central access point for entrepreneurial support, linking founders to mentorship, funding pathways, educational programming, and a statewide network of partners. The center builds on the legacy of VT KnowledgeWorks while introducing a structured, stage-based approach to entrepreneurship.
“We are here to connect you to the people, the expertise, and the resources you’ll need to move your idea forward,” said Kiyah Duffey, Executive Director of VTCRC. “We want to be the place and the people who say, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s look at your idea. Let’s ask the right questions. Let’s figure out what comes next.’ We may not always have every answer. In fact, I can promise we won’t. But we will help you find them.”
Anchored at VTCRC—where education meets business—the ERC strengthens the pipeline from idea to startup to scale by connecting partners across sectors and creating a more coordinated and accessible pathway for founders.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” said Elizabeth A. McClanahan, President of VTCRC. “It happens when the right people and resources come together at the right time. That’s exactly what this space is designed to do.”
The ERC offers programming, one-on-one advising, and curated connections to capital and talent. Through its integration with COgro Coworking + Labs and digital tools like Startup Space, the center provides both physical space and flexible access to support.
The launch of the ERC reflects a broader statewide effort to advance entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation and job creation, helping more ideas take shape and grow across Virginia.
As part of its next phase, the ERC will continue expanding programming, deepening partnerships, and supporting a growing community of entrepreneurs.
Learn more and explore upcoming programs through Startup Space.
This project was funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.
Media Contact
Danielle Akers
Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center
danielle.akers@vtcrc.com