SOVA RISE: Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs

One day. A lot of ideas, conversations, and new connections.

The 2026 RISE Summit brought entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, manufacturers, farmers, and community leaders from across Southern Virginia together in Danville to learn from one another and explore what's next for our region.

From practical breakout sessions and thought-provoking conversations to new introductions and connections, the day was a great reminder of what can happen when our entrepreneurial community comes together.

Take a look back at some of our favorite moments from the 2026 RISE Summit!

TODAY is the last day to apply for RAMP up!

RAMP

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Tiffany Harrison, Pure soul and comfort kitchen

Some passions begin in the kitchen long before they become a business.

For Tiffany Harrison, owner of Pure Soul & Comfort Kitchen, cooking has always been about more than preparing a meal. It's about bringing people together.

Growing up, Tiffany learned to cook by watching family members in the kitchen. Over time, that early passion grew through hands-on experience, professional kitchens, and a desire to keep learning and perfecting her craft.

To Tiffany, comfort food isn't just what's on the plate.

"Comfort food is more than a meal. It's a feeling. It brings back memories, creates connections, and reminds people of home, family, and love. To me, comfort food nourishes both the body and the soul."

That philosophy is at the heart of every meal she prepares, whether she's catering a wedding, serving a church gathering, or preparing meals for busy professionals and families.

Her favorite meal to make? A classic Southern spread of fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, and cornbread. It's the kind of meal that brings smiles to people's faces and reminds them of home.

One of Tiffany's proudest moments as a business owner is earning the trust of customers to cater their most important celebrations. Hearing that her food helped make those moments memorable reminds her why she started Pure Soul & Comfort Kitchen.

For anyone dreaming of starting a business, Tiffany offers simple but powerful advice:

"Believe in yourself, be willing to work hard, and don't let fear stop you from taking the first step. Stay committed to your vision, keep learning, and remember that success is built one day at a time."

Thank you, Tiffany, for sharing your talent, serving your community, and reminding us that some of life's best memories begin around the table.

September is a great time to refocus, reconnect, and keep moving your business forward.

This month's RISE blog highlights upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and find resources to support your business, including RISE Grapevine, RAMP Up, and more happening across Southern Virginia.

See what's coming up this month: link in comments.

September 3 is the last day to apply for RAMP Up!

If you have an idea, product, technology, or business opportunity in agriculture, forestry, food systems, advanced manufacturing, rural technology, or a related industry, today is your last chance to apply for the inaugural RAMP Up cohort.

Over eight weeks, participants will work with mentors and industry experts to explore customers, markets, business models, and strategies for moving their ideas and innovations toward the marketplace.

Applications close tomorrow, September 3. See comments for Link.

Some businesses serve more than their customers. They help bring new life to the places they call home.

Railway Café opened in downtown Bassett in 2020 with a vision to create a welcoming place where people could gather, enjoy good food, and feel at home.

Located in a space that once housed a barbershop and other small businesses, Railway Café is helping write a new chapter for a part of Bassett with a long history of local businesses and community gathering places.

Today, the café is known for scratch-made breakfast, flavorful lunches, homemade sauces, hometown hospitality, and plenty of familiar faces. Along the way, Railway Café has earned local recognition for Best Breakfast, Best Carry-Out, and Best Lunch five years in a row.

More than a place to grab a meal, Railway Café is a place for community, connection, and keeping a little piece of Bassett's story alive.

We're proud to spotlight Railway Café and the role small businesses like this play in strengthening communities across Southern Virginia.

Over the course of one day, entrepreneurs shared ideas, new partnerships were formed, business cards were exchanged, and fresh opportunities began to take shape.

That's what the RISE Summit is all about.

Thank you for making this year's event one to remember. We hope these photos capture just a few of the connections, conversations, and moments that made the day so special.

What was your favorite part of the day? We'd love to hear in the comments.

The work continues, and we're excited to see what comes next.

📣 Applications close 11:59pm Thursday!

RAMP Up is an 8-week accelerator program that helps agtech, forestry, and rural innovators gain the tools, connections, and insights needed to scale their businesses.

Not developing a new technology? That's okay. We also welcome businesses with meaningful innovation and strong potential for growth in our target industries to apply.

Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions below and learn more about the program here: https://sovarise.com/ramp-up/

Apply by September 3 (this Thursday!)

The conversations don't have to end with the RISE Summit.

Keep the connections going at the September RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup.

Join entrepreneurs, small business owners, and resource partners from across Southern Virginia to reconnect, make new connections, and hear about resources and opportunities available throughout the region.

Whether you joined us at the Summit or you're connecting with RISE for the first time, we'd love to have you.

September 17 | Noon–1:00 PM | Zoom
Register today. Link in comments.

This was a fantastic panel! Thank you to Kiana Dillard of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for moderating and to Gretchen Clark of Hurt & Proffitt, Dr. Scott Lowman of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and Angela Yancey of Hitachi Energy South Boston for sharing your passion and expertise!