Fervent Four: What Founders in Virginia Can Do to Grow Faster

What Founders in Virginia Can Do to Grow Faster

Aug 31, 2023

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Richard Wintsch, Executive Director of Startup Virginia. Startup Virginia (SVA) supports startups and innovators with an engaged community, holistic programs, targeted resources, and dynamic workspace to help them reach their full potential and positively impact Virginia’s economic landscape. Watch this week’s episode to hear about Startup Virginia's Incubator pipelines, the great tools Entrepreneurship Support Organizations are offering, the infrastructure in place for founders, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Richard Wintsch

(4:45) What is Startup Virginia?

(12:11) Finding out what works for Entrepreneurs

(19:24) Collaborating within regions

(21:30) Believing in the local startups and community

(28:35) Successful exits’ impact on a region

(36:37) Getting connected with Startup VA + utilizing the Virginia network

(43:58) Switzerland culture

(48:27) The power of a reference

(54:36) Favorite Golf course + Conclusion

About Richard Wintsch & Startup Virginia:

Startup Virginia (SVA) is a nonprofit, high-growth business incubator and entrepreneurial hub where innovators can learn, collaborate, and grow. Their incubator serves startup companies supported by an expansive network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, and donors. SVA provides holistic programming, a dynamic workspace to its member community, and free entrepreneurial education that is open to all. By helping entrepreneurs reach their full potential, SVA drives innovation and strengthens the region’s economy.

Richard was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, before coming to the States to attend James Madison University and play on their golf team. He began his career in private banking for JP Morgan before moving to Richmond, where he spent 14 years at ChamberRVA. He spent that time pioneering and launching multiple leadership programs designed to attract and retain emerging leaders in the Richmond region and was recognized as one of Richmond’s Top 40 under 40. In his role as Executive Director, he will focus on the success of Startup Virginia and the Richmond entrepreneurial community.

Learn more: https://www.startupvirginia.org/leadership/richard-wintsch/#:~:text=Richard%20was%20born%20and%20raised,spent%2014%20years%20at%20ChamberRVA.

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of Innovate Hampton Roads, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Richard Wintsch

https://www.startupvirginia.org/

X: @theStartupVA (https://twitter.com/theStartupVA)

Instagram: @startupvirginia: https://www.instagram.com/startupvirginia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartupVirginia/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-virginia/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardwintsch/

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

X (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

X: @Innovate757 (https://twitter.com/Innovate757)

Instagram: @InnovateHamptonRoads: https://www.instagram.com/innovatehamptonroads/