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Small Business Opportunity Center
Also known as: VCU SBOC, Small Business Opportunity Center
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
Quick fit check
- Offers direct funding
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
$0 – $10,000
Equity
None
Application
Semiannual
Statewide
Last activity
2026-02-02
High confidence
The Small Business Opportunity Center (SBOC) is a holistic small business accelerator and research center at the VCU School of Business, implemented in partnership with the da Vinci Center for Innovation and the VCU Division of Community Engagement. Founded by Dr. Patrice Perry-Rivers, the SBOC evolved from the GO Virginia-funded Minority Small Business Launch Center pilot at Virginia State University.
The SBOC identifies high-potential, under-resourced entrepreneurs and provides free training academies (fall, spring, and on-demand), the Business Launchpad Certification program, student-led technical support, seed funding awards, pitch competitions, co-working space at the da Vinci Center, and maker space access for prototyping.
In February 2026, the SBOC received a $1.225 million GO Virginia grant for statewide expansion across Regions 4 (Greater Richmond), 5 (Hampton Roads), 6 (Fredericksburg), and 7 (Northern Virginia), with $2.47 million in matching funds from VCU.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Small Business Opportunity Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.
1 source
Small Business Opportunity Center (SBOC)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Small Business Opportunity Center (SBOC)
Small business accelerator at VCU School of Business. Free training academies, Business Launchpad Certification, seed funding awards, pitch competitions. $1.225M GO Virginia grant (2026) for statewide expansion. Serves under-resourced entrepreneurs across 4 VA regions.
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