What we’re about
RVA Works connects, inspires, educates, and empowers entrepreneurs!
RVA Works holds public events, provides cohort-based business acceleration. Through our Open Trellis technology emerging entrepreneurs attend educational events, receive business advice, credit counseling, and referrals to lenders.
RVA Works is also a promotional partner for 1 Million Cups events, a national program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation that is designed to help entrepreneurs identify opportunities and overcome challenges.
In Richmond, Virginia 1 Million Cups is hosted by the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond, and pro bono events are offered on a hybrid basis to benefit those outside of our region.
Weekly speakers include entrepreneurs and those creating systems that support them. Speakers share their individual stories and motivation, their business model, and their growth strategy. Plus, attendees work to find ways that we can help the speaker.
Entrepreneurship provides society a way to change the economy and cultivate social impact through inclusion. The entrepreneurs who participate in our programming span industry sector, experience and education level, age groups, and ethnicity.
Join us, and learn more...
Upcoming events (1)
See all- RVA Works Information Night - Accelerate Your BusinessRegency Square Mall, Richmond, VA
Business & Nonprofit Accelerator
Fall 2025 Cohort is Forming NowWe help more people become business owners! Join us to learn more about our accelerator program which includes:
- 13 Weeks of facilitated discussion
- One-on-one mentoring sessions
- Referrals to other support agencies and service providers
- Alumni group meetings for peer learning and support
- Pro bono attendance in future accelerator sessions
- Weekly networking sessions to expand your professional circle
We have been pleased to report that since 2014, 121 Participants have entered the accelerator program:
- 116 Program Graduates
- 75% Launch a Business
- 38% - Alumni report an average increase of 38% in annual income
Meet Dale Fickett, RVA Works founder. Dale Fickett is an entrepreneurship professor at the University of Richmond, a top 20 undergraduate business school. He also serves as President of RVA Works, a Virginia public charity providing educational and financial services to people facing economic and social barriers to business ownership. He is the lead organizer for Techstars Startup Weekend, a contributing author for Forbes, and provides policy guidance to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
Dale has lectured and conducted research on entrepreneurial finance and developmental economics. His research is focused on access to small business credit, blockchain and AI technologies, and income mobility. He has previously served on board appointments at the Virginia Catholic Conference, and for Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade. He has led ventures in the fintech and retail sectors, and served as a strategy consultant with Accenture’s European Financial Services practice. He holds a BSBA from LaSalle University, and an MBA from Villanova University. His passion is being a father to his daughter and son, as well as his missionary work in rural Haiti.
Logistics. Connect with RVA Works alumni-entrepreneurs, mentors, and others joining the Fall 2025 cohort. Have your questions ready:
- Thursday, September 4th
- 6pm - 8pm
No pre-registration is required. Join us:
Henrico Federal Credit Union
at Henrico Adult Education - Regency Campus
1420 North Parham Road
Henrico, VAParking. Free parking is available near NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, in the lower level of the parking deck. Please proceed to the corner entrance with the Blue Henrico Adult Education sign.
Please Note: This is an in-person only event, with no virtual option.
