November 12, 2026

ERC Celebrates Inaugural E-Series Graduates, Looks Ahead to 2027

By Heidi Angle

The Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC) at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) celebrated the completion of its inaugural E-Series on November 10, bringing together founders, mentors and community partners for a special Founders + Friends event recognizing the program’s first group of graduates.

Launched in September, the fall 2026 E-Series provided entrepreneurs with practical guidance, expert mentorship and connections to help navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.

PHOTO: Entrepreneurs, mentors and community partners gathered at the Entrepreneur Resource Center on Nov. 10 to celebrate the inaugural E-Series graduates. 

Building a Foundation for Entrepreneurship 

Led by ERC Entrepreneur in Residence Nathan Pienkowski, a five-time founder and four-time exited entrepreneur, the E-Series helps entrepreneurs develop the knowledge, tools and confidence needed to move their ventures forward. 

Throughout the fall, participants explored eight foundational topics, including identifying and evaluating business opportunities, commercialization pathways, intellectual property protection, business planning, legal and entity setup, and startup funding. 

The program’s impact extended beyond its scheduled sessions. Participants were so eager to continue learning and connecting that they requested an additional week of programming, extending the inaugural E-Series beyond its original schedule. 

During the celebration, Pienkowski congratulated the inaugural cohort and recognized the dedication and effort participants invested in their entrepreneurial journeys. 

PHOTO: ERC Entrepreneur in Residence Nathan Pienkowski congratulates the inaugural E-Series participants during the Founders + Friends celebration. 

Connecting Entrepreneurs With Regional Resources 

The evening also featured guest speaker Anthony Grafsky, Capital Pathways business advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), who shared resources available to entrepreneurs throughout the New River Valley and beyond. 

Grafsky highlighted the SBDC’s confidential, one-on-one advising, educational workshops and industry research services. He also introduced specialized programs, including the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP), which helps entrepreneurs validate business ideas, conduct customer discovery and explore commercialization opportunities. 

His remarks emphasized the complementary roles of the SBDC and ERC in helping entrepreneurs access the expertise, resources and connections needed at different stages of business development. 

PHOTO: Anthony Grafsky, Capital Pathways business advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), shares resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

Recognizing Entrepreneurial Success Across the Region 

The celebration also brought together founders whose recent achievements reflect the strength of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Among those in attendance were Dr. Nadia Saklou, founder of VeriPass and a Virginia Tech alumna, and Cameron Cook, founder of Peptide AI and a current Virginia Tech undergraduate studying cybersecurity management and analytics. Both earned second-place honors in separate competitions at the Apex Center for Entrepreneurs‘ 2026 Startup Showcase & Live Pitches on November 9. 

Hosted by Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, the showcase brought together student and alumni entrepreneurs to pitch their ventures and compete for a share of $35,000 in available prize funding. 

VeriPass is one of many regional startups awarded funding through the Entrepreneur Resource Center, with support from GO Virginia and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). Founded by Saklou, VeriPass is developing secure digital identity infrastructure for animals, beginning with horses, to improve the management and verification of ownership, health and regulatory records. 

Their achievements highlight the connections between the ERC, Virginia Tech and regional entrepreneurship programs supporting founders as they develop and advance their ventures. 

PHOTO: Peptide AI founder Cameron Cook (left) and VeriPass founder Dr. Nadia Saklou (right) attended the ERC celebration after earning second-place honors in separate competitions at Virginia Tech’s Apex Center for Entrepreneurs showcase on Nov. 9. 

Looking Ahead to 2027 

Building on the inaugural program, the ERC is preparing to welcome its next group of entrepreneurs in early 2027. 

During the celebration, Pienkowski previewed the upcoming E-Series, which is expected to retain much of the foundational curriculum introduced this fall. 

The next E-Series is scheduled for Feb. 2 through March 23, 2027, with sessions held Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Entrepreneur Resource Center in Blacksburg. Additional program and application details will be announced. 

Through programs like the E-Series and Founders + Friends, the ERC continues to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting founders with the education, mentorship and resources needed to turn ideas into successful ventures. 

Find your next opportunity at the ERC 

Looking to build connections, explore new ideas or get involved in the regional entrepreneurial community? The Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC) offers free events and programming designed to bring together founders, mentors and innovators. 

Upcoming opportunities include: 

  • Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 | Coffee, Cookies & Collaboration: Take a break from your usual workspace and connect with fellow founders over coffee and cookies. Drop in anytime between 1 and 3 p.m. No registration required. The December gatherings will also feature a DIY hot cocoa bar. 

All ERC programs and events are free and open to the community. Visit our full events calendar for details and registration information, and connect with the ERC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events, resources and opportunities.