Name: Innovation Summit | Day 2
Start: 2026-04-24T08:00:00-0400
End: 2026-04-24T17:00:00-0400

Friday April 24, 2026 8:00am - 5:00pm EDT

CODE Building @ 240 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Join us at the Innovation Summit, where the next era of entrepreneurship and ideas takes shape. Convening founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders, we’ll rally around bold projects that turn ambition into community impact. Building a company today requires far more than a breakthrough product. It demands the courage to take risks, to iterate publicly, to navigate uncertainty, to attract and deploy capital wisely, and to build communities of support that make growth possible.
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Note: This Summit session is ticketed.
Please purchase your tickets on Humanitix. 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 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival is presented with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville

Speakers

Mark T. Esser

Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the UVA Manning Institute of Biotechnology, University of Virginia

Dr. Esser joined the University of Virginia in May of 2025 as the inaugural Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the UVA Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology and Thomas A.Saunders III Family Jefferson Scholars professor. Mark is responsible for the overall strategic direction... Read More →

Michael Woodfolk

Founder & Managing Principle, Woodfolk Associates

Michael Woodfolk spent 35 years doing one thing at the highest level: persuading accomplished, skeptical people to invest their money and their reputations in something larger than themselves. As the longest-tenured senior executive and President of the University of Virginia Darden... Read More →

Teague Henry

Assistant Professor, University of Virginia

Teague Henry is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia whose research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence and computational methods to advance psychological measurement. His work develops new approaches for capturing and analyzing human behavior, with particular... Read More →

Zac Irving

Associate Professor, University of Virginia

I am an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia's Corcoran Department of Philosophy, where I work in the philosophy of cognitive science. Throughout 2024, I’m pursuing an NEH fellowship titled, “The Spontaneity Deficit: Good Minds in the Age of Distraction.” That project... Read More →

Carrie H. Chenery

Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Virginia Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Carrie H. Chenery is a native Virginian with two decades of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations, and strategic communications through both public service and private business. Her career spans identifying business growth opportunities for clients... Read More →

Michael Lenox

Interim Dean, University Professor, Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business Administration, UVA Darden School of Business

Professor Lenox is Interim Dean of UVA Darden, University Professor and Tayloe Murphy Professorship in Business Administration. He also holds an appointment as a Professor of Public Policy (by courtesy) at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He teaches the core MBA... Read More →

Joe Benevento

President and CEO, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation

Joe Benevento serves as President and CEO of the Virginia Innovation Partnership, which operates as Virginia’s designated statewide economic development authority responsible for advancing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, university research and technology commercialization... Read More →

Laura Barnes

Professor and Associate Director, Link Lab, University of Virginia

Laura Barnes is the Lawrence R. Quarles Professor of Engineering and Applied Science in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering and Associate Director of the Link Lab at the University of Virginia. Her research advances the human-centered design of intelligent systems... Read More →

Sabrina Hammell

Director of 757 Startup Studios, 757 Collab

As a venture strategist and director of 757 Startup Studios, I work alongside founders at every stage of their journey. Areas I assist with include refining product strategy, shaping testing plans, driving execution, and connecting them with the right partners for growth.

With a foundation in engineering and business development, I bring a holistic lens to venture creation, understanding the technical nuances while aligning them with market and strategic objectives... Read More →

Graham Evans

Cofounder and CEO, MicroCatalyst

Graham is a serial entrepreneur with 15+ years in hardware (advanced materials, robotics and physical AI), e-comm and food startups from pre-seed to scale. He has deployed large CAPEX projects to Fortune 500 clients.

Heidi Kay

CEO & Founder, Jericho Sciences, LLC

Dr. Kay earned a doctorate in chemistry and has over 30 years of anticancer and antiviral research experience. She is lead inventor on 16 awarded patents. Diverse research projects include developing novel antiviral and anticancer drugs, deterring harmful algae blooms, improving slow-release... Read More →

Prakash Kolli

CEO and Co-Founder, 3D Orthobiologic Solutions (3DOS)

Dr. R. Prakash Kolli, the CEO and co-founder of 3D Orthobiologic Solutions (3DOS), oversees day-to-day operations and is responsible for the company's overall success. He leads all executive functions, including the company's technology and product development, fundraising, regulatory... Read More →

Daniel Warren

Founder, CEO, Helix Hydrogen, Inc.

Daniel Warren is a clean energy entrepreneur and systems thinker focused on advancing practical hydrogen infrastructure in the United States. He graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Integrated Science and Technology and began his career at the intersection of ecology... Read More →

Dennis Trujillo

CEO, Mercurial AI Inc

Dennis Trujillo, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Mercurial AI, a Chicago-based healthcare AI startup building Sona Health, a multilingual, voice-first platform designed to give cancer patients and care teams instant access to evidence-based answers across clinical guidelines, trials... Read More →

Lisa Bowers

Board Chair, Avant Genomics

Lisa Bowers is the board chair for Avant Genomics and an advisor to the Manning Biotechnology Institute. She was formerly the Chief Commercial Officer of Day One, a biotech company that went public in 2021 and was recently acquired by Servier Pharma, and, prior to that role, was... Read More →

David Touve

Managing Director, 434 Accelerator

David is the Managing Director of 434, an accelerator program supporting early-stage, technology based companies based in and around Charlottesville, Virginia. He also teaches courses in entrepreneurship, innovation, and policy at the University of Virginia.

Previously, David founded or held leadership positions in a series of private, early-stage and venture-backed technology companies, gaining experience across the startup lifecycle—from idea to acquisition and, at times, failure. He has also held faculty and leadership roles at both... Read More →

Malorie Black

Founder/CEO, GoGood LLC

Malorie Black built a career in high-performance sales and retail strategy, spanning digital advertising, door-to-door sales, and representing national brands selling millions of dollars of product into Walmart stores across the U.S. At the end of 2023, she left her role and sold... Read More →

Kathryn Harris

Head of Defense, Scale AI

Kathryn Harris leads the Defense practice at Scale AI, where she works at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and national security, translating state-of-the-art AI capabilities into real-world applications for the Department of Defense. She operates at the front lines of... Read More →

Jennifer West

Dean, University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science

Jennifer L. West is the 14th dean of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science. She has a formidable record of accomplishments spanning 30 years as a highly respected engineering leader, a transformational biomaterials and nanomedicine researcher, an award-winning... Read More →

Kristen Duckett

Chief Human Resources Officer, WorldStrides

Kristen Duckett is the Chief Human Resources Officer at WorldStrides, where she leads the strategic direction of the company’s people agenda, ensuring that talent is a driving force behind business success. With more than 20 years of HR leadership experience, Kristen has shaped... Read More →

Rodney Boykin

COO, RavenLogic Advisory

I have a passion to do great work with great people that goes beyond just fulfilling a set of requirements in a contract. I don’t want to just complete contracts to check a box. I want to deliver actionable results to transform companies, agencies, and organizations in delivering... Read More →

Kelley Williamson

Founder, Kelley Kouture

Kelley Powell Williamson is the founder of Kelley Kouture, a luxury footwear brand built on a simple belief: a woman should never have to choose between beauty and well being. After a life-altering surgery, the high heels that once made her feel confident and unstoppable no longer... Read More →

Lauren Foster

Director of Thought Leadership Communications, UVA Darden School of Business

Lauren Foster is the Director of Thought Leadership Communications at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Before that, she was a senior writer at Barron's, a content director at CFA Institute, and a correspondent at The Financial Times.

Jasmine Byrd-Whiting

Program Management Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships Office, NASA

Jasmine Byrd-Whiting has been a dynamic force in program management, bringing a decade of excellence to NASA Langley Research Center, beginning in the Aeronautics Research Directorate in 2016. With a proven track record spanning her support of the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions... Read More →

Justin Ayars

Founder & CEO, EqualityMD

How many health tech founders can say they’ve written a speech for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, starred in a documentary film about Liberace, and built a national healthcare technology company? Justin Ayars can.

A 5X serial entrepreneur, Justin’s true North Star has always been his curiosity. Inspired by a lifelong love of Star Trek, he brings the mind of a philosopher, the heart of a poet, and the spirit of a starship captain to the startup ecosystem. Before tackling healthcare's systemic... Read More →

Mark Warner

U.S. Senator (VA)

Sen. Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2008 and reelected to a third term in November 2020. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence and as a member of the Senate Finance, Banking, Budget, and Rules Committees. During his time in the Senate... Read More →

Bethany Teachman

Co-Director, UVA Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment

Bethany Teachman is a Commonwealth Professor and the Director of Clinical Training at the University of Virginia in the Department of Psychology, and co-directs UVA TYDE: Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment. Dr. Teachman is Director of the public websites MindTrails, a web- and... Read More →

David Danks

Polk JSF Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy, AI, & Data Science, University of Virginia

David Danks is the Polk JSF Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy, AI, & Data Science at the University of Virginia. One part of his research examines the ethical, psychological, and policy issues around AI and robotics across multiple sectors. He also develops novel AI... Read More →

Katrina Young

Entrepreneurial Engagement Lead, NASA

Mrs. Katrina L. Young is the Entrepreneurial Engagement Lead at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. In this role, she is responsible for helping the entrepreneurial, business, and academic community to leverage NASA technology to launch a startup venture, a career in... Read More →

Joe Gasbarre

Director, Strategic Partnerships Office, NASA

Mr. Joseph Gasbarre has over 25 years of leadership experience in a variety of key technical and managerial roles, working with every other NASA center, many industrial partners, and academic institutions. He is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships after having been... Read More →

Ramy Rahimi

Partnerships Lead, Strategic Partnerships Office, NASA

Dr. Ramy A. Rahimi is a technology development, innovation, and commercialization leader with more than 20 years of experience operating at the intersection of aerospace, space, deep technology, and entrepreneurship across federal, academic, and industry environments. He currently... Read More →

Tracey Greene

Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council & Charlottesville Angel Network

Tracey Greene, Executive Director, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) and Founding Executive Director, Charlottesville Angel Network

Tracey is a leading advocate for using technology and innovative entrepreneurship to foster economic and social progress. She is the Executive Director of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC), where she works to enhance the tech and innovation sectors in the Charlottesville... Read More →

Alex Euler

Senior Investment Director and Head, Life Science and Healthcare, Virginia Venture Partners

As the Senior Investment Director at VVP, Alex leads a team of investment professionals who make early-stage venture capital investments across sectors, with a primary focus on biopharma, medtech, and healthcare. Over the last 16 years, Alex has led over 300 transactions for the fund... Read More →

Matthew Miessau

Principal, Epidarex Capital

Matthew Miessau is a Principal with Epidarex Capital, a Bethesda, Maryland based venture capital firm that finds, invests in, and builds early-stage breakthrough life sciences companies in emerging hubs in the US and UK. Matthew is actively involved in deal sourcing, including expanding... Read More →

Akshita Tiwari

Co-Founder, qMe

Akshita Tiwari is a second-year computer science student at the University of Virginia, public speaker, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and access. She is the co-founder of qMe Quantum Computing, a global education venture that has helped... Read More →

Nate Fender

Principal Product Manager, Amazon

Nate Fender is a Principal Product Manager, Technical, at Amazon, where he drives innovation in omnichannel advertising measurement. With extensive experience bridging technology, entrepreneurship, and creative industries, Nate brings a unique perspective to product development and... Read More →

James Warren

Founder and CEO, Share More Stories

James Warren is the Founder and CEO of Share More Stories, a human experience insights company. The company’s primary offering is the SEEQ Platform, which helps organizations and brands uncover and improve the emotional drivers behind employee and customer experiences.

James is... Read More →

Miles Lanham

Founder, CEO, Métopi

Miles Lanham is a current 3rd year undergraduate biomedical engineering student at the University of Virginia, a former track and field recruit and athlete, and a two-time healthcare founder. As a sophomore, he raised nearly $200,000 for his pharmaceutical startup, Métopi, and is... Read More →

Andria McClellan

Founder and CEO, Oculus Rail

Andria McClellan is a former elected local official, community volunteer, and entrepreneur. Raised by a single mom in Virginia Beach, she was taught the value of hard work early in life and worked her way through high school and college. Upon graduating from UVa, Andria began her... Read More →

Debbie Irwin

Executive Director, Lighthouse Network

Debbie Irwin is the Executive Director of the Lighthouse Network and Managing Director of Lighthouse Network Ventures, an organization dedicated to investing in the lives of founders by supporting their growth as leaders and entrepreneurs. She works closely with early-stage founders... Read More →

Matthew Arnone

Founder & CEO, RavenLogic Advisory

* Founder & CEO | Strategy Evangelist | Portfolio Wrangler | Curious Futurist

* 17 years of broad-based consulting experience (plus 10+ years corporate experience).

* Established record of successfully addressing pressing strategic & delivery issues relating to organizational tra... Read More →

Kip Poole

Owner, Chef, and Executive Director, Yorkies Modern Deli and the CROP Foundation

From washing meatloaf pans to working with celebrity chefs, Chef Kip Poole’s 30-year culinary career has been centered
on creating community. After working in restaurants throughout high school, Kip earned his degree from Virginia Tech. His
internship at Walt Disney World showed... Read More →

Antwon Brinson

Founder/CEO, Culinary Concepts AB

In the constellation of global inspirers, few leaders command attention and ignite change like Chef Antwon Brinson. His remarkable journey began not in boardrooms but in the heart of a household fueled by profound passion and an unyielding desire to uplift. Forged as a culinary a... Read More →

Nikki Hastings

Executive Director, CvilleBioHub

Nikki Hastings is an operations biotech executive and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder with over 15 years of experience with early-stage biotech/medtech and medical device companies. She has held executive management roles at companies across multiple industry sectors including HemoShear... Read More →

Erin Burcham

President, RBIA

Erin Burcham joined Verge in June of 2021, where she leads two organizations under the regional technology alliance portfolio, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP). Previously she worked as the director of talent... Read More →

Leah Fremouw

President & CEO, Bridging Virginia

Leah Fremouw is Bridging Virginia’s President & CEO- a community development financial institution (CDFI). In this role, she partners with businesses, nonprofits, and localities in various industries to support their capital access needs and success goals. In 2020, she led the relaunch... Read More →

Nelson Reveley

Impact Analyst & Advisor, Alpha Omega Wealth

Nelson has a passion for helping individuals connect their deeply held values with their investments, charitable giving, and everyday economic decisions. Nelson graduated with a B.A. in Religion from Princeton in 2005. In addition to a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary... Read More →

Roman Bohuk

CEO, Skillbit

Roman Bohuk is the co-founder and CEO of SkillBit (formerly MetaCTF), a cybersecurity training company that helps organizations upskill cyber talent through hands-on learning. Since 2014, Roman has run more than 500 cybersecurity competitions for academia, government, and industry... Read More →

James Ramey

Managing Director, VTC Ventures

James is a venture capital investor with more than 12 years of experience working closely with early-stage companies. Before helping found VTC Ventures, a unique series of funds closely tied to Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech focused on early-stage healthcare, deeptech, and food... Read More →

Lisa O'Mara

Director Investor Relations, Locus

Lisa O’Mara is Director of Investor Relations at Locus, a Virginia-based community development financial institution that finances affordable housing, small businesses, and community facilities. She leads efforts to raise investment capital, deposits, and grants that support Locus’s... Read More →

Sponsors

Black Ambition

Black Ambition, a non-profit organization founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, is dedicated to closing the wealth and opportunity gap faced by underrepresented entrepreneurs in the U.S, and abroad. Through prize competitions and bespoke founder programming, Black Ambition provides... Read More →

Charlottesville Business Innovation Council

GovSmart

Laser Thermal

Laser Thermal is a Charlottesville-based technology company born out of decades of academic research and development in the ExSiTE Lab at the University of Virginia. What started as academic work has grown into a small but rapidly emerging company focused on solving a problem many... Read More →

Lighthouse Networks

Luna Labs

High-impact solutions for mission-critical challenges.
Luna Labs is a product development company working with leading organizations and key government agencies to create unique solutions for complex challenges in defense, industrial, and healthcare markets.

Innovation Summit

Cost Ticketed

Attendees (38)

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