Dominion Energy Innovation Center

04/23/2026

The finalists are officially set for the Center Street Pitch Competition! Hosted by the Downtown Ashland and the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, this year’s competition brings together nine standout local businesses:

Center of the Universe (Town of Ashland):
Take Away LLC
Ashland Dance Academy
Immagine', LLC

Hanover County:
Hanover Mercantile
Shaken Not Spurred Mobile Bar
Sugar + Spruce

Agriculture & Forestry:
Hamlet Farming Initiative
Thistledew Fold LLC
Foliage LLC

Give these finalists a follow and help us celebrate the incredible work happening across Ashland, Hanover, and our regional ag community 🙌

Join us on May 7th at the Ashland Theatre! More details are available here: https://www.ashlandvirginia.com/pitch or https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/center-street-pitch-competition/

Local entrepreneurs are invited to share their next big business idea to compete for $20,000 in prizes on March 28, 2024 from 5:30-8pm at Ashland Theatre! Three prizes will be awarded to a Startup Business, a Business Expansion, and an Agriculture & Forestry Business in our local community. App

04/09/2026

A great way to wrap up our latest Ag-X program!

These participants just completed weeks of learning, collaboration, and growth—walking away with new tools, stronger businesses, and a supportive network behind them. We hope to see some of them pitch at the upcoming Center Street Pitch Competition!

Proud to celebrate this group and all they’ve accomplished. 👏

Ag-X was made possible in partnership with Hanover County Virginia Cooperative Extension and with support from Hanover County Economic Development , Colonial Farm Credit, and Studley Farms — thank you for helping make this program possible!

Learn more about Ag-X: https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/ag-x/

Apply to Center Street Pitch Competition by April 12: https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/center-street-pitch-competition/

04/08/2026

We’re back on Tuesday, April 14 from 8:30–10:00 AM at DEIC(201 Duncan St in Ashland)—a great chance to connect with the local business community, meet new faces, and tap into resources across the region.

We’re excited to have coffee provided by Bravo Bake Shop this month—come grab a cup and stay for the conversations!

Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, all are welcome.

Feel free to bring a colleague or share with your network—we’d love to see you there!

SCORE Mentors Hanover County Economic Development Town of Ashland, Virginia

04/08/2026

Don't miss your chance to apply to win up to $3K for your small business!

Learn more and apply here! https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/center-street-pitch-competition/

🚨 BIG NEWS, NEIGHBORS 🚨

If you’ve been sitting on a business idea, waiting for the *right time*… this is it.

The Center Street Pitch Competition just extended the deadline to **April 12**, and I need you to hear this: you are not too early, too late, or too “not ready.” You are exactly on time. 💛

This is your chance to pitch your dream, connect with real support through the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, and compete for funding that could truly change your trajectory. We’re talking visibility, mentorship, and a community that *wants you to win.*

And this year? You don’t have to figure it out alone. There’s a FREE pitch workshop with Dorian Cunion to help you feel confident and prepared. 🙌

✨ Ashland VA small business
✨ Hanover County entrepreneurs
✨ Richmond VA startups
✨ Agriculture & forestry innovators

There is a place for you here.

Apply now → AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch

Tag the friend who’s been dreaming out loud lately. Let’s go after it together. 💫

04/07/2026

🚨 BIG NEWS, NEIGHBORS 🚨

If you’ve been sitting on a business idea, waiting for the *right time*… this is it.

The Center Street Pitch Competition just extended the deadline to **April 12**, and I need you to hear this: you are not too early, too late, or too “not ready.” You are exactly on time. 💛

This is your chance to pitch your dream, connect with real support through the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, and compete for funding that could truly change your trajectory. We’re talking visibility, mentorship, and a community that *wants you to win.*

And this year? You don’t have to figure it out alone. There’s a FREE pitch workshop with Dorian Cunion to help you feel confident and prepared. 🙌

✨ Ashland VA small business
✨ Hanover County entrepreneurs
✨ Richmond VA startups
✨ Agriculture & forestry innovators

There is a place for you here.

Apply now → AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch

Tag the friend who’s been dreaming out loud lately. Let’s go after it together. 💫

03/31/2026

⏰ Pssst. April 12th is closer than you think.

If you've been on the fence about applying to the Center Street Pitch Competition, consider this your friendly nudge from a neighbor who believes in what you're building. 💛

The application takes less time than you think. The Executive Summary template is right there waiting for you. And on the other side? Cash prizes, a Dominion Energy Innovation Center membership, and a stage in front of the most supportive room in Hanover County.

You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be passionate and show up.

📅 Pitch Competition Application Deadline: April 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
👉 AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch

03/30/2026

You asked — we listened!

The Center Street Pitch Competition deadline has been extended to April 12th!

If your application isn’t quite finished or you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to go for it.

✔️ Pitch live at the Ashland Theatre
✔️ Compete for $15,000 in prizes
✔️ Get in front of judges who are rooting for you

We’d love to see more entrepreneurs from Ashland, Hanover, and the region take the stage.

Apply here ⬇️
https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/center-street-pitch-competition/

Downtown Ashland Hanover County Economic Development Town of Ashland, Virginia

The Center Street Pitch Competition invites participants to showcase innovative ideas in the agriculture sector, start ups and business expansion.

03/23/2026

What does $3,000 and a community behind you actually do for a small business? 🤔

Just ask Nicole Phillips of Meadowgate Alpacas, last year's Center Street winner:

💬 "Winning effectively restored a third of our market options. We're now able to expand not only our profitable appearances but also our free therapy program, reaching even more communities."

That's not just a prize. That's a turning point. 🙌

The Center Street Pitch Competition returns May 7, 2026. Applications are open NOW for Ashland, Hanover County, and Agriculture & Forestry entrepreneurs.

Don't let this swim past you. 🦈💛
📅 Pitch Competition Application Deadline: April 6, 2026
👉 AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch

03/19/2026

🦈✨ Attention, Hanover County dreamers — the tank is open and the water is WARM.

The Center Street Pitch Competition is back on May 7, 2026, and we are looking for entrepreneurs just like you to step into the spotlight at The Ashland Theatre. We're talking five minutes, an expert panel that is genuinely rooting for you, and up to $3,000 in cash prizes plus a membership to the Dominion Energy Innovation Center.
This isn't Shark Tank. This is better. This is YOUR community cheering you on.

🏆 $15,000 total in prizes up for grabs
📍 Three categories: Center of the Universe (Ashland!), Hanover County & Agriculture & Forestry
📅 Pitch Competition Application deadline: April 6, 2026

If you've got a business idea, a side hustle with big potential, or a dream you've been sitting on — this is your sign. 👇
👉 Apply now at AshlandVirginia.com/Pitch

03/14/2026

☘️ Coffee, conversation, and a little St. Patrick’s Day luck.

Our monthly Coffee & Connect was pushed back a week because of Energy Tech, but we’re back Tuesday, March 17 at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center.

Stop by to connect with the local business community and resource providers. It’s a great opportunity to network, share what you’re working on, and learn about resources available in the region.

☕Parousia Coffee will be providing the coffee this month.

No agenda—just coffee, conversation, and connection.

🗓 Tuesday, March 17 | 8:30–10:00 AM
📍 Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Let us know you are coming here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982798424463

03/13/2026

🚀 Applications Are Open for the Center Street Pitch Competition!

Do you have a business idea or a growing company in Ashland or Hanover County? Do you have an agribusiness in the region? The Center Street Pitch Competition is now accepting applications!

Hosted by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center and Downtown Ashland, this is your chance to pitch your business, gain exposure, connect with local supporters, and compete for prize money to help move your business forward.

Three finalists in each category will be selected to pitch live on May 7 at the Historic Ashland Theatre.

🏆 Each category winner receives $3,000, with runner-up prizes of $1,000.

The three categories include opportunities for:
• Town of Ashland businesses
• Hanover County businesses
• Agriculture & forestry businesses (sponsored by Colonial Farm Credit)

📝 Apply by April 6

Learn more and submit your application:
https://dominnovation.com/agriculture/center-street-pitch-competition/



Hanover County Economic Development Hanover County Virginia Cooperative Extension Town of Ashland, Virginia Downtown Ashland Hanover Chamber of Commerce VA Market Ashland Partnership

The Center Street Pitch Competition invites participants to showcase innovative ideas in the agriculture sector, start ups and business expansion.

03/09/2026

Coffee & Connect – March 17

We’re moving Coffee & Connect to next week since Energy Tech is tomorrow — so join us on March 17 for your monthly dose of community and conversation.

No agenda — just connection, collaboration, and a strong start to your day.

📍 Dominion Energy Innovation Center, 201 Duncan St, Ashland
📅 March 17
⏰ 8:30am - 10am (drop in anytime)

Come share what you’re working on and connect with others from across our community.