Spring Into Success: Events and Learning Opportunities to Help Small Businesses Grow

Virginia Beach is kicking off a season of growth with a full slate of events and learning opportunities designed for local small business owners and entrepreneurs. From hands‑on workshops and procurement guidance to a reality‑series premiere celebrating local entrepreneurs, these offerings provide the tools, support and resources to help our small business community connect and thrive.

Scaling Your Business in the Digital World 

Minority Business Council Spring Small Business Roundtable 
April 9, 1-5 p.m., The HIVE, 140 Independence Blvd. 

Running a small business today means wearing a lot of hats — but you don’t have to do it all the hard way. The Virginia Beach Minority Business Council (MBC), in partnership with The HIVE, invites small business owners and entrepreneurs to its Spring Small Business Roundtable to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools can streamline operations, save time and support sustainable growth. The interactive event will be held at the City’s small business resource center, The HIVE. 

The roundtable will include remarks from Councilmembers Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond and Jennifer Rouse, and featured speakers from AI and digital technology fields. 

Attend to gain practical strategies that work in today’s fast-moving business environment, whether you’re just getting started with digital tools or looking to scale more efficiently. The event will break down what AI really means for small business owners, highlight accessible tools to start using now and how to maximize available resources. 

The MBC Spring Small Business Roundtable is free and open to the public but registration is required.  

Six Entrepreneurs. Six Stories.

City Entrepreneur Virginia Beach: Reality Series Season Premiere 
April 15, 6-8 p.m., Zeiders American Dream Theater, 4509 Commerce St. 

City Entrepreneur Virginia Beach is a reality series showcasing real stories from local entrepreneurs and small business owners from the UPLIFT Virginia Beach program who are making an impact within the local community. The Virginia Beach SWaM Business Office and AGH Advisory Services are hosting the official season premiere of the series at the Zeiders American Dream Theater. 

Virginia Beach City council members and economic development professionals will engage in a panel discussion about the power of entrepreneurship and its impact on the local economy. Local business owners, entrepreneurs and partners will also have a chance to network at the event. 

UPLIFT is an eight-week program designed to spur growth and strengthen business models for entrepreneurs, with a special focus on minority, women and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. 

During this season of City Entrepreneur, six local entrepreneurs will share their journey, including successes and lessons learned. It will also feature local resources essential to driving growth for the emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in Virginia Beach.  

The season premiere event is free and open to the public but registration is encouraged.  

Learning Opportunities

Resources and ongoing learning opportunities are available through the SWaM Business Office and The HIVE, from one-on-one business mentoring and engagement sessions with experts to workshops on marketing strategies and help with business plan development.  

Doing Business with the City of Virginia Beach
Multiple dates and times, virtual

This three-part virtual series is designed to help businesses navigate working with the City of Virginia Beach. Participants can learn about City procurement programs, resolutions and ordinances that most impact small, women, and minority-owned businesses. Sessions also cover how to use the City’s Supplier Portal, find solicitations and prepare the required forms for solicitation responses. 

• Procurement Programs: March 31, 3-3:45 p.m. | April 14, 9-9:45 a.m. 
• Supplier Portal and Solicitations: April 2, 3-4 p.m. | April 23, 9-10 a.m. 
• Subcontracting Participation Plans and Good Faith Efforts: April 7, 9-10 a.m. | April 21, 3-4 p.m. 

Virginia Beach Procurement Café
April 13, 10-11:30 a.m., The HIVE, 140 Independence Blvd. 

Grab a cup of coffee and connect with the City’s Procurement team to ask questions and learn about the procurement process at this interactive, small-business-friendly workshop held each month at The HIVE. 

At the next workshop, a Virginia Beach procurement officer will walk participants through a past City solicitation, highlighting key components of a Request for Proposal (RFP) that businesses should focus on when preparing a response. The session will also review a corresponding submitted proposal to illustrate what evaluators look for and identify important elements that can strengthen a submission.  

Attendees will gain practical insight to better understand solicitations and develop more competitive responses for City opportunities. Reserve your spot online. 

Stay Connected

Join the SWaM Business Office’s contact list or subscribe to The HIVE’s monthly newsletter to receive the latest updates on upcoming workshops, resources and announcements to help support and grow your business.  

Businesses at all stages can find resources, tools and guidance at The HIVE. The SWaM Business Office and Minority Business Council are part of the ecosystem of support in Virginia Beach. 

For more information and learning opportunities, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/SWaM and YesVirginiaBeach.com/TheHIVE. 

• SWaM Business Office
• The HIVE
• Minority Business Council