CBIC is the preeminent private-sector advocate and catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation-based economic development in the greater Charlottesville, VA region. For more than 15 years, CBIC and its predecessor name, the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC), has been fostering an ecosystem for innovation in order to expand the strength and vitality of our local economy and culture. As the voice of the entrepreneurial and high-tech sectors in our region, CBIC collectively supports entrepreneurs and tech-based businesses by providing networking, visibility, promotion, education and advocacy opportunities. These activities expose entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers to other like-minded individuals and provide opportunities to meet and learn from one another.

CBIC (Map)
501 East Main St.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.817.6300
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CBIC’s Key Action Areas:

Education and Workforce Development

It takes the right people and critical mass to drive a high-tech economy. By working in partnership with local businesses and our area's educational institutions, the Council helps ensure that the area’s workforce has the appropriate curriculum, training, skills and resources to support future growth in key technology segments such as the area’s burgeoning biotechnology sector.

Networking Events

Intelligent and talented people enjoy getting together to socialize, collaborate, share ideas and form professional relationships, which is a vital component of attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce. That's why the Council organizes workshops, seminars, lectures, galas, roundtables, and social activities designed specifically for the entrepreneurial and high-tech community.

Technology Issues

The operational needs of technology-based companies can be very different from those of traditional industries. Consequently, the Council serves as the tech industry's advocate, educating local and state officials about the unique requirements of high-tech businesses and the issues that affect them.

CBIC’s Two Annual Signature Events

CBIC Awards Gala: an annual event that gathers more than 200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, and academia to honor individuals and organizations for their noteworthy contributions to the marketplace. CBIC Award recipients enjoy increased exposure and visibility with the media, business community, and potential partners.

CBIC Tech Tour: a day-long event to introduce area high school students to our region’s tech companies, designed to expose students to the diverse career possibilities offered by our regional tech community and to help them envision themselves as technology innovators. Chaperoned groups of students spend the day traveling to selected showcase tech companies for a hands-on visit to meet employees and experience the use of technology in unique and specialized operations.

…and a bevy of educational and networking programs including:

CXO Roundtables: a peer-based forum designed to bring C-level individuals from entrepreneurial and technology-based companies together to discuss various topics of interest such as compensation, strategies and techniques to find, fuel, and fit employees and its new CEO War Stories: In the Trenches with….”: which features successful C-level executives who share first-hand experiences and perhaps some outlandish secrets so other entrepreneurs may discover valuable lessons learned in the entrepreneurial mine fields.

Educational Programs and Networking: solo or in partnerships with organizations such as UVA, the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Darden School of Business, VaBIO, and other groups, CBIC hosts educational programs with topics including collaboration and strategic alliance trends and structures, executive/employee compensation, corporate structure, IP strategy, risk management and insurance for private companies, financing sources and strategies, and M&A trends.