Startups

A shot in the arm from one of Richmond’s biggest employers is helping a local startup incubator recharge its budget. Lighthouse Labs, a 4-year-old business incubator that provides local startups no-strings-attached funding, business education and mentorship opportunities, was awarded a $100,000 grant last week from Capital One. Todd Nuckols, founder and managing director at Lighthouse… Read more »

  A local motorcycle enthusiast is bringing a DIY aesthetic to his new repair shop in Shockoe Valley. Cory Manning, a certified Harley-Davidson mechanic, has opened Engine and Frame, a combination repair shop and community garage space at 1600 Valley Road. The venture combines a for-profit repair shop with a community space for riders to… Read more »

Fresh off a rebranding and an expansion to Charlottesville, a local online farmers market is getting a boost to its coffers. Seasonal Roots, which until recently was known as Farm Table, is closing this week on a $600,000 capital raise that came together with help from Central Virginia Angels, an informal network of venture capitalists…. Read more »

The idea quite literally fell right into Broderick Thomas’ lap. Three years ago, the local salesman was having lunch at a Richmond barbecue joint when his colleagues noticed an addition to his attire: a T-shirt cut up like a bib that he put on over his button-down to prevent any stains from besmirching his professional… Read more »

As it adds more clients and expands its employee count, a local insurance price comparison website is tripling the size of its Henrico County headquarters. Compare.com is relocating this summer to 26,000 square feet at 140 Eastshore Drive in Glen Allen. The move will be a quick one, as its current office at 201 Concourse… Read more »

An online real estate startup with an appetite for college towns has tapped Richmond as its newest market. RentCollegePads.com began listing rental properties located around Virginia Commonwealth University in March. The off-campus housing site lets landlords list properties and caters to students looking for rentals and roommates. Dominic Anzalone spun RentCollegePads.com out of a class… Read more »

The big foam finger is getting a second life in Richmond. High Five RVA, an online service that delivers 19-inch bright orange high-five-ready foam hands through the mail, won $10,000 last month for being named a regional winner in Comcast Business’ Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs Contest. Now the company, helmed by Amy McCracken, is one of… Read more »

Out of the worry of raising children with severe food allergies, Rupa Tak, Lauren Elmakis and Vineeta Shah found opportunity. The trio of local mothers recently launched GoFar Snacks, a brand of nut-free energy bars for children that they’re quickly trying to get on store shelves and online. The idea came after years of having… Read more »

  After percolating in kitchens in Washington, D.C., a cold brew coffee company has poured into Manchester and already has further growth plans in mind. Confluence Coffee Co. got up and running last month at 700 Bainbridge St. near City View Landing, the 17.5-acre mixed-used development taking shape on the former Reynolds South plant. Owner… Read more »

A local startup that’s caught the eye of local and global investors is taking over more space in Shockoe Bottom. Evatran, which makes wireless charging stations for electric cars, has leased 8,000 square feet at 2219 E. Franklin St. The company is likely to use the space for operations and manufacturing, according to broker John… Read more »