Run the Room — Virginia
Resources for people starting and running a business in Virginia — the national programs that apply everywhere, the state offices that register and support businesses here, and the local help in Virginia's largest metro areas. Compiled by Run the Room, the weekly podcast on how business actually works, hosted by Alex and Jordan.
Virginia Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Virginia District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Virginia.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Virginia.
- Small Business Development CenterVirginia Small Business Development Center (Virginia SBDC)
Free, confidential business advising and low-cost training across Virginia.
- Business Registration & Entity SearchVirginia State Corporation Commission — Clerk's Information System (CIS) Business Entity Search
Register a business, search entity records, and keep filings current.
- Commerce & Economic DevelopmentVirginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
The state's economic development agency — programs, incentives, and business assistance.
- State Chamber of CommerceVirginia Chamber of Commerce
The statewide business association and chamber network.
- Business One-Stop PortalVirginia Business One Stop (Dept. of Small Business and Supplier Diversity)
The state's official one-stop portal for business registration and licensing.
Local Resources — Largest Metro Areas
Northern Virginia
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Washington DC
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterMason SBDC (George Mason University)
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceNorthern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
Richmond
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Eastern Virginia
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterCapital Region SBDC
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceChamberRVA
The metro chamber of commerce.
Virginia Beach
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Eastern Virginia
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterHampton Roads SBDC (hosted by Hampton Roads Chamber)
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceHampton Roads Chamber
The metro chamber of commerce.
Roanoke
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Blue Ridge, Central Virginia & West Virginia
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterRoanoke Regional SBDC
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceRoanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
National Resources
- National ResourceU.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency for small business — starting, funding, growing, and government contracting.
- National ResourceSBA Local Assistance Finder
Find SBA offices, SBDCs, SCORE chapters, and other resource partners near you.
- National ResourceSCORE — Mentoring & Workshops
Free mentoring and low-cost workshops from experienced business volunteers.
- National ResourceAmerica's SBDC
The national network of Small Business Development Centers — free advising in every state.
- National ResourceSBA Funding Programs
Loans, investment capital, grants, and surety bonds administered or backed by the SBA.
- National ResourceIRS Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Center
Federal tax guidance, forms, and deadlines for small businesses and the self-employed.
- National ResourceUSA.gov — Business
The federal government's official business portal: licenses, permits, and regulations.
- National ResourceMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Programs and business centers supporting minority-owned businesses.
- National ResourceVeterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
Business training and counseling for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Listen
New episodes every Sunday at 7:00 PM ET — business built from the very beginning. Browse the complete episode index, or listen on your platform of choice:
Resource links point to official program and agency sites and were verified when this page was generated. Programs and URLs change — if a link fails, the SBA Local Assistance Finder above will route you to the current office.