2010 Business and Industry Awards Calendar
December 13, 2009
CHECK LINKS for CURRENT DEADLINE SUBMISSION for 2010!
America’s Small Business of the Year Award
America’s Small Business of the Year Award is open to both members and nonmembers of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Virginia Fantastic 50 recognizes the companies with the highest growth rates in five categories. To be eligible, companies were required to be privately held, with headquarters in Virginia, and to show sales between $200,000 and $100 million. They were judged on a four-year sales revenue history.
Recognizing the success of technology entrepreneurs and companies from the NewVa region. Award Categories include Rising Star, Entrepreneur, NewVA Leadership, Educator, and Innovation.
The “Stevie Awards” were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people worldwide.
Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award
The annual awards program showcases the accomplishments of the small business sector which is composed of 99 percent of the area’s business community.
Virginia Technology Fast 500 and Fast 50
The Virginia Technology Fast 50 annually recognizes the fastest-growing companies within the geographic boundaries of Virginia. The Technology Fast 500 recognizes the 500 fastest-growing technology, media and entertainment, telecommunications and life sciences companies in the United States, and Canada.
Fast Company Magazine’s Technology Fast 50
For Fast Company’s Fast 50 and Fast 50 Reader Favorites identifies the most innovative companies in the world.
These awards recognize the fastest-growing, privately held companies in America—the celebrated Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000. The Inc. 5,000 also recognizes the top 100 companies in every major metro area, the top 100 companies in several industry categories, and several other top 100 lists.
The top 100 innovations of the year, as selected by R&D Magazine’s panel of judges.
Technology Fast 500
A list of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and clean technology companies in the nation based on percentage revenue growth over five years.
Governor’s Technology Awards for Virginia
This awards program honors outstanding achievements and recognizes innovative technology initiatives in the public sector throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia Business Magazine’s Small Business Success Awards
Recognizes the overall contributions that small business makes to Virginia’s economy by honoring four examples of small businesses that embody the success and vitality of business in the commonwealth.
Federal Laboratory Consortium Awards
The FLC MAR Awards Program annually recognizes federal laboratories and their industry partners for outstanding technology transfer efforts.
TR35 Young Innovators Under 35
Since 1999, the editors of Technology Review have honored the young innovators whose inventions and research we find most exciting; today that collection is the TR35, a list of technologists and scientists, all under the age of 35.
Blue Ridge Business Journal’s Best Company to Work For
The Best Place to Work award is given to a business with a minimum of three employees located in the Blue Ridge Region and evaulated based on the following six criteria: job satisfaction, ethical standards, community contribution, employee development and support, product/service leadership, and quality of life/environment.
U.S. Small Business Administration Awards
Every year, the US Small Business Administration recognizes the contributions small businesses and entrepreneurs to America’s economic well-being. Local, state, and national award winners are selected in more than 20 categories.
The Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System (HRTIS)
October 19, 2009
About HRTIS
The mission of the Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System (HRTIS) is to increase the technology business base in Hampton Roads by helping entrepreneurs build successful companies.
Target companies:
• Computers & electronics
• Engineering & technology services
• Internet applications
• Software
• Environmental technology
• Health and medical technology
• Manufacturing
• New media
• Optical technology
• Gaming
• Energy
HRTIS is a structured environment that enables entrepreneurs to get the resources needed to be successful.
HRTIS provides cost-effective, high-tech professional business and strategic services to entrepreneurs and small business.
The HRTIS is also a means for businesses of all sizes to access technologies developed in Hampton Roads.
NewVa Corridor Technology Council - NCTC
October 2, 2009
The NCTC is a non-profit member-driven association of businesses and organizations in the greater NewVa Region (encompassing Roanoke and Blacksburg, VA), working together to promote the growth and success of the region’s technology sector. Membership includes more than 200 organizations from emerging technology firms to some of the largest employers in the region. The NCTC is building a technology community that is a catalyst for innovation, inspiration, success, and leadership within the region.
Don’t Loose Your Data Because of Neglect - Back IT Up Now!
August 27, 2009
Almost half of all small to medium size businesses do not back up their data at all or on a regular basis; and it is not that difficult or expensive to accomplish.
There are many online backup options, as well as offline options that can be put into play without doling out a lot of upfront, precious capital.
Small Company 404(b) Compliance
August 19, 2009
Small companies with a market cap of less than $75 million and a fiscal year that ends in December must perform their first external auditor attestation of internal financial reporting controls.
Since 2007, smaller companies have been required to comply only with the 404(a). AS5 has made things easier and clearer, but 404(b) is not something you can get around. New SEC Chairman Linda Shapiro thinks small company compliance with 404(b) may be a good idea.
Virginia Business Incentives
August 6, 2009
Investing in Each Other
Virginia works enthusiastically with new and expanding Virginia employers that create a higher standard of living for Virginians, enhance the local and state economies, and increase revenues to state and local governments. Incentives are Virginia’s investment in its economic future and a business decision for both the Commonwealth and the company. As a result, they must make good fiscal sense for all parties.
Designed to target the needs of the company and the development plans of localities and the state, Virginia offers a variety of performance-based incentives. From tax credits to tax exemptions, Virginia continues to demonstrate its willingness to invest in those who invest and reinvest in the Commonwealth.
Governor’s Opportunity Fund
Discretionary funds available to the Governor to secure a business location or expansion project for Virginia. Grants are awarded to localities on a local matching basis with the expectation that the grant will result in a favorable location decision for the Commonwealth.
Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP)
A program that offers customized recruiting and training assistance to companies that are creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. The program is designed to reduce the human resource development cost of new and expanding companies.
Virginia Investment Partnership Act
The Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) Grant and the Major Eligible Employer Grant (MEE) are discretionary performance incentives designed to encourage continued capital investment by Virginia companies, resulting in added capacity, modernization, increased productivity, or the creation, development and utilization of advanced technology.
The Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG) is a discretionary performance incentive, designed to assist and encourage companies to invest and create new employment opportunities by locating significant headquarters, administrative or service sector operations in Virginia.
Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
Virginia offers some of the broadest sales and use tax exemptions in the U.S.
Property Tax Exemptions
Virginia does not tax intangible property, manufacturers’ inventory, and manufacturers’ furniture, fixtures and corporate aircraft.
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA)
VSBFA offers programs to provide businesses with access to capital needed for growth and expansion.
Enterprise Zones
Virginia’s Enterprise Zone program provides state and local incentives to businesses that invest and create jobs within Virginia’s enterprise zones, which are located throughout the state.
Technology Zones
Virginia authorizes its communities to establish technology zones to encourage growth in targeted industries. Presently, 21 localities have created zones throughout the state.
Foreign Trade Zones
Virginia offers six foreign trade zones designed to encourage businesses to participate in international trade by effectively eliminating or reducing customs duties. Also, numerous subzones are provided and additional ones can be designated to enhance the trade capabilities of specific companies.
Virginia’s Fastest Growing Companies…
July 26, 2009
Name by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce
http://www.vachamber.com/index.asp
Fantastic 50 Winners!
The Fan50winners site is for Virginia’s top entrepreneurs to network and share ideas.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
July 1, 2009
NVTC Announces Hot Ticket Award Finalists and Winners
Annual Event Puts the Spotlight on the Region’s “Hot” Technology Companies
HERNDON, Va. June 24, 2009 - A record-setting attendance of 486, Hawaiian attire, Margaritaville-style cuisine and the region’s best and brightest companies set the stage for the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s (NVTC) Hot Ticket Awards event. For the 8th year in a row, the event was held poolside at the home of NVTC’s President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg, honoring the companies that make-up the area’s “hot” and evolving technology community.
The judges for the 2009 Hot Ticket Awards included: Phil Bronner, Novak Biddle Venture Partners; Joseph Cormier, ManTech Corporation; Tien Wong, Opus8; Peter LaMontagne, Paradigm Solutions Michael Dering and Andrew Rosen.
Nominations were gathered for seven categories Hottest Buzz, Hottest Management Team, Hottest Bootstrap, Hottest Exit, Hottest Venture Capital, and new this year, Hottest Government Contractor and Hottest International Company. The finalists and winners in each category are as follows:
Hottest Buzz (sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank)
* Clarabridge **Winner**
* DigitalBridge Communications
* NetWitness Corporation
* Positive Energy
Hottest Management Team (AH&T Insurance)
* GlobalLogic, Inc. **Winner**
* Clarabridge
* Eloqua
* NetWitness Corporation
Hottest Bootstrap (sponsored by PNC Bank)
* Contact Solutions, Inc. **Winner**
* Coveros, Inc.
* Motionsoft, Inc.
* Three Pillar Software, Inc.
Hottest Emerging Government Contractor (sponsored by Welz & Weisel Communications)
* Guident Technologies **Winner**
* Agilex Technologies
* Citizant
* Platinum Solutions
Hottest International Company (sponsored by High Street Partners)
* Availink, Inc. **Winner**
* BroadSoft, Inc.
* Eloqua
* Netbiscuits, Inc.
* Telarix
Hottest Exit (sponsored by Apptis)
* Rosetta Stone **Winner**
* Athena Technologies (Rockwell Collins)
* CoGenesis
* SwapDrive
Hottest Venture Capital Deal (sponsored by BDO Seidman)
* Clear Standards **Winner**
* Clearspring
* GetWellNetwork
* GlobalLogic, Inc.
Additional sponsors of the 2009 NVTC Hot Ticket Awards included “Smoking Hot Sponsors” Argy, Wiltse & Robinson, P.C and Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and “Steaming Hot Sponsors” Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Harris Information Technology Services, Principal Financial Group and Vocus.
According to Forbes Magazine the State of Virginia ranked #1 as top state for business!
June 9, 2009
Virginia has done it again. For the second year in a row, the Commonwealth led the nation in Forbes.com’s “Best State for Business” ranking. And that’s not all. In the same week, CNBC, the leading financial news cable channel that reaches influential business and financial leaders around the world, designated Virginia its “Top State for Business.” “It is gratifying to see our state applauded by internationally respected financial media organizations such as CNBC and Forbes.com,” said Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine. “These rankings are significant. As a result of responsible management and bipartisan leadership, the Commonwealth’s positive business climate and quality workforce has again been validated and showcased before a global audience.”
CNBC evaluated each state on 40 different measures of competitiveness in 10 broad categories: cost of doing business; workforce; economy; education; quality of life; technology and innovation; transportation; cost of living; business friendliness; and access to capital.
“Virginia didn’t just stand out in one or two areas—it was solid across the board,” said CNBC Senior Correspondent Scott Cohn, during the live announcement at Northrop Grumman shipyard in Newport News, Virginia. “More than any state, Virginia offers a more complete package for business. It finished in the top 15 in all but two of our categories,” said Cohn. “According to our study, there are very few weak spots for business in Virginia.”
Forbes.com, the official Internet site of the Forbes family of business publications, ranked Virginia the Best State for Business for a second straight year. The review examines multiple objective measurements, including business costs, regulatory climate, quality of the workforce, and economic growth. Virginia finished in the top 10 in four of the six main categories, including regulatory environment (1st), quality of its workforce (5th), overall quality of life (6th), and prospects for growth (8th).
Virginia dominated the rankings, coming in at #1 according to CNBC and Forbes.com.
Key Business Stats for Virginia:
- Overall business costs in Virginia are 9% lower than the national average according, to Forbes.com.
- CNBC reports that Virginia’s legal and regulatory framework are one of the most “business-friendly” in the nation.
- Virginia’s tax and energy costs are the seventh and ninth lowest in the nation, as reported by Forbes.com.
- Forbes.com reports that Worker Compensation costs are 47% below the national average.
Use the following links and small business startup resources as a guide for starting a small business in Virginia, find Virginia Small Business Administration Offices - Virginia SBA, Virginia Small Business Development Centers - Virginia SBDC, Virginia business incubators, Virginia State Government websites such as Virginia Secretary of State, Top Business Banks and Lenders in Virginia to obtain Financing for your business, Virginia State Demographics for market research, and to find necessary Virginia Business Forms and Legal Forms.
- SBA, SBDC offices, Small Business Centers & Start-up Resources in Virginia
- Virginia Government Resources, Demographics, Profiles
- Top Banks, Business Loan & Financing Resources in Virginia
- Virginia Business Forms and Real Estate Forms
- Virginia Legal Forms, Agreements, Legal Contracts