Exploring how businesses start, grow, and flourish.

Everyone needs to have an entrepreneurial mindset. The Entrepreneurship theme delves into the entrepreneurial journey, offering tools, insights, and strategies for founders at every stage. With intention at its core, this theme emphasizes the importance of building purpose-driven businesses while navigating the inevitable challenges that come with entrepreneurship. We’ll tackle the founder’s dilemma—balancing vision with execution, scaling with sustainability, and passion with practicality. Sessions will explore the intricacies of funding—how to secure it, manage it, and use it to fuel long-term growth. But beyond merely surviving, this track is about thriving—teaching entrepreneurs and the entrepreneur in all of us not just how to stay afloat in competitive markets but how to build resilient, innovative ventures that scale and succeed. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Entrepreneurship equips you with the knowledge and networks to turn challenges into opportunities and drive your venture to new heights.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Registration and badge pickup takes place in the lobby of the Code Building. Check in and connect with other attendees before the sessions begin.

Complimentary coffee and tea provided by Grit Coffee in the Irving Theater lobby at Code.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Welcome to Entrepreneurship Day, where we take a deep dive into the wild world of starting, growing, and hopefully flourishing a business. Whether you’re just scribbling ideas on napkins or you’ve already got a product and a few battle scars to prove it, this day is for anyone who’s ever dreamed of building something from the ground up. Get ready to hear stories of triumph, failure, and the occasional facepalm moment, all while exploring the steps that can turn your entrepreneurial spark into something that actually works. We’ll unpack the secrets of scaling, finding customers, securing funding, and navigating the rollercoaster of building a business.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Successful entrepreneurs don’t try to predict the future—they co-create it. This keynote dives into Effectuation, the framework behind how the best founders eschew the crystal ball and instead navigate uncertainty by making the most of what they have, and will also highlight the need for greater entrepreneurship education in K-12 and higher ed. Expect myths to be busted and practical insights to be offered from two amazing local founders who have learned lessons the hard way!.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

AI is here, and while it won’t take all our jobs (yet), it will change how we work, lead, and make decisions. Yael Grushka-Cockayne, Vice Dean at UVA Darden and head of the Center for AI, cuts through the hype to explore what AI means for real-world leadership, strategy, and staying employable in an era of automation. From decision science to data-driven intuition, this keynote unpacks how to work with AI instead of being outpaced by it.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Sure, the venture capital world is practically a monopoly game between California, Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. But for the rest of us, there’s a compelling case to be made for regional investing, and it’s about time family offices took the wheel. This session explores how, with a little local know-how, family offices can channel capital into under-the-radar regions—unlocking promising returns and revitalizing economies, all while keeping the founders’ feet firmly planted in their hometowns (wherever that may be).

By investing regionally, family offices help high-growth companies stay rooted as they scale—creating jobs, increasing revenue, and making those once-overlooked markets feel a lot less overlooked. And as capital cycles back into these communities, it paves the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs to rise up and start the whole cycle over again. Join us as we chat with family office investors who are redefining how wealth grows.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

This session is proudly presented in partnership with the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC).

Building a business is tough, but what if you had a map to hidden resources, expert guidance, and real support right in your own backyard? The Central Virginial Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC) is here to hand you that map. This session will uncover the funding, mentorship, and business tools available to local entrepreneurs, whether you're just starting out or scaling up. From grants and loans to strategic advice and networking gold, consider this your inside look at the resources too many founders overlook—but absolutely shouldn't.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Presented by UVA Innovates

This Session is by invitation only

The Commonwealth of Virginia is poised to be a global leader in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Universities have a critical role to play in helping to catalyze innovations to drive economic growth, create the jobs of the future, and advance the state’s ambitions to be a technological leader.

On April 18, more than 20 delegates will convene in Charlottesville for the Jefferson Innovation Summit at the Tom Tom Festival to discuss the ways in which universities can help to commercialize and scale new technologies and grow entrepreneurship within the Commonwealth. The delegates will include representatives from a broad swath of stakeholders including entrepreneurs, prominent venture investors, our VA public universities, the Governor’s office and executive branch, elected officials, academics, and non-profits.

Through a facilitated dialogue and workshop, the delegates will work together to generate a small set of recommendations that may include specific policy proposals or more broad recommendations activating both the private and public sectors. These insights will then be used to develop a playbook to inspire and inform policy action.

Learn more: https://jeffersoninnovationsummit.org/

This showcase is proudly presented in partnership with 434 Accelerator. 

Welcome to Charlottesville’s very own tech showcase, where the spotlight is on inspiring startups and the game-changing technologies they’re developing. In this lightning talk session, we’ll skip the fluff and dive straight into the innovations that are poised to transform industries. This isn’t about empty promises, it’s about tangible ideas and the specific insights that could shape the future. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain at the brilliant minds turning bold concepts into reality. After the talks, the floor opens for some good old-fashioned networking, where you’ll have the chance to mix and mingle with angel and institutional investors eager to discover what’s next. Get ready for a session packed with more inspiration than you can shake a tech startup at.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Putting purpose at the heart of your business isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also a pretty savvy move. Studies show that purpose-driven companies outperform their competitors in almost every way: they grow faster, capture larger market shares, and have higher satisfaction rates among customers and employees. So, not only are you doing good, but you’re also doing well while building a smarter, more sustainable business.

In this session, we’ll hear from three Charlottesville-based business owners who’ve proven that aligning purpose with profit can be a win for everyone. From creating job opportunities for people with disabilities to offering a more sustainable way to shop for outdoor gear, these founders have turned their values into action, making an impact on both the community and the bottom line. Forget the conventional wisdom that business is all about the dollars—these entrepreneurs will show you why the real measure of success is how many lives you’ve changed along the way. Ready to build a business that actually does something? Let’s get inspired.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Let’s face it: in today’s tough funding landscape, getting a venture capitalist to return your calls might feel like waiting for a unicorn to show up at your door. But fear not—crowdfunding is here to save the day! In this session, we’ll walk you through how to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign that could make your startup the next big thing. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right platform to creating a compelling pitch that has the crowd reaching for their wallets. It’s not just about having a great idea—it’s about how you sell it.

Of course, no one wants to be caught off guard by the legal side of crowdfunding. So, we’ll also dive into the nitty-gritty of securities regulations (looking at you, JOBS Act), disclosure requirements, and how to avoid getting into hot water. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of both the creative and legal aspects of crowdfunding, so you can raise the capital you need without accidentally signing your company up for a lawsuit. Ready to take matters into your own hands (and your crowd's wallets)? Let’s get started. Full session description coming soon.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

As Gen-Z continues to lead the charge, alcohol consumption is seeing a noticeable dip. Guests are embracing the “zebra stripe” lifestyle—one drink in each hand: one boozy, one not. It’s time for bars and restaurants to get with the program. Non-alcoholic menus and drink options are no longer a trend—they’re a revenue stream. Join us for a chat with industry experts as they break down how this shift is revolutionizing the beverage scene and helping food outlets boost sales while satisfying today’s more mindful drinkers.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Alexis Advisors. 

Sustainable investing, impact investing, ESG—sounds like the new hot trend, right? But with all the buzzwords flying around, it’s easy to get lost in the jargon and wonder if anyone actually knows what they mean (or if they’re just trying to sound good in a pitch meeting). This panel brings together industry experts to demystify sustainable and impact investing, breaking down the concepts, the confusion, and the real-world applications. We’ll explore how these frameworks are reshaping the way we think about corporate behavior, investment strategies, and financial markets—while clearing up a few myths along the way.

From understanding the difference between environmental social governance (ESG), socially responsible investing (SRI), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to tackling the big question of what exactly impact investing is, this session will give you the lowdown on how to navigate the world of socially-conscious finance. We’ll also dig into how success is measured (spoiler: it’s not just about the bottom line), and how these strategies can create tangible value—financial and otherwise. So, if you’ve been hearing all the buzz and wondering if it’s more than just a feel-good slogan, this session will provide clarity, practicality, and a few surprises along the way.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Let’s face it—hiring top-tier executives is usually a luxury only the big dogs can afford. But what if you could tap into the brains of a seasoned CEO, CFO, or CTO without having to sell a kidney or a chunk of your company? Enter fractional leadership, the game-changing solution that lets startups and small businesses access high-level expertise on a part-time, on-demand basis. This panel will bring together a mix of experts from various disciplines to break down how fractional leadership is changing the game for entrepreneurs—because who says you can’t have big talent on a small budget?

We’ll dive into how this model is reshaping the business world, why it’s perfect for businesses trying to scale without blowing their budgets, and how to decide if fractional leadership is the secret weapon your company needs. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about getting the right kind of expertise at the right time to accelerate your growth. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to get all the perks of a C-suite without the C-suite price tag, this is the session for you.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

This session is proudly presented in partnership with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR). 

So, you’ve built your business from the ground up, and now you're considering the next step: selling it. But where do you even start? In this session, we’ll walk you through the murky waters of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with a panel of experts who’ve seen it all. From identifying potential buyers who aren’t just window-shopping to managing those high-stakes buyer discussions, we’ll cover the key steps to selling your company—and doing it in a way that leaves you feeling victorious, not victimized.

Get ready for a crash course in preparing for financial and legal diligence, navigating those nerve-wracking negotiations, and making sure the transition is as smooth as possible–because things can get messy. Whether you’re hoping to cash out or make a strategic exit, this panel will provide the actionable insights you need to avoid the common pitfalls and come out ahead. Get ready for some straight talk on how to sell your company like a pro.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.

Like any great romance, the relationship between founders and funders is a thrilling roller coaster of passion, frustration, and the occasional “ghosting.” From the euphoric honeymoon phase of early investments to the sobering reality of scaling struggles, and those dreaded “we need to talk” board meetings, this panel explores the messy—and often misunderstood—dynamic between the creators and the capitalists. It's not all rainbows and dollar signs, but it's certainly a wild ride.

Join a seasoned crew of entrepreneurs and investors as they spill the tea on navigating the highs and lows of the founder-funder relationship. Learn how to spot red flags (and green lights) to avoid financial heartbreak, what investors really look for in a long-term commitment (or a quick exit), and how to survive those times when the money’s running low and the tension’s running high. Plus, hear the best (and worst) pitches they've ever seen—and the stories behind how these unlikely couples first met.

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Note: This Conference session is ticketed.

Please purchase your tickets on Eventbrite. You will then receive an email from Sched with login information that allows you to make your personal schedule.

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A special thank you to our sponsors: The 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, UVA Innovates, Virginia Tourism, RL Beyer Custom Homes, and Ludwig Kuttner.