The "1717 Collective"

The “1717 Collective” is a group of Richmond-based nonprofits who support small businesses and founders: Bridging Virginia, the Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC), The JWC Foundation, Lighthouse Labs, the Metropolitan Business League (MBL), Startup Virginia, the Women's Business Center of Central Virginia, and LISC Virginia through the Capital Access Hub. We have convened monthly at the 1717 Michael Wassmer Center for Innovation since February of 2023 to create more efficient referral processes and become a better-informed group of practitioners. Despite an abundance of entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) and resources in the region, community members often voice confusion around accessing them or a general lack of awareness, and even resort to bootstrapping their business - alone. In October 2024, we launched the region's first–ever “main street” focused ecosystem initiative to make it easier for small businesses and micro-businesses to find their people, fund their operations, and build their network. We love our neighbors and neighborhoods and want ideas and businesses to prosper here – which is why we are committed to fostering deep and positive relationships with stakeholders and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) across Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond. Together, we believe it is possible to a) co-create solutions b) offer more visible, welcoming, and smooth navigation experiences to business owners at every stage in their journey and c) increase on-ramps and pathways to success and economic mobility – with special attention to communities who see chronic underinvestment locally and nationally. Our businesses depend on relationships and knowledge-sharing, which is why we are championing a bigger table and asking to pull up a chair at yours. We are extremely grateful to Altria, Capital One, and the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond for making this collective impact work possible.