5/25: GAUNTLET Graduation and Awards Ceremony
The Advancement Foundation (TAF), through its three prong approach of Programming, Resources, and Placemaking continues to work with community leaders across Virginia to identify and foster business development goals that are in alignment with local, regional, and state priorities including: technology, agriculture, main street manufacturing, outdoor recreation/ tourism, and complimentary businesses that promote economic drivers in agriculture, main street manufacturing, and outdoor recreation/tourism.
Through its primary program, The GAUNTLET, Virginia’s Largest Business Program and Competition, TAF continues to focus on fostering catalytic change in small and rural communities across Virginia. TAF works with over 50 communities to create opportunities to assist entrepreneurs who are creating the vibrant, economically thriving places that people want to visit, work, live, and play. To date, The Gauntlet program has directly supported the innovative dreams of over nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs representing over 800 businesses through education, direct connection to a network of over 300 mentors/industry experts, and distribution of over $3 million dollars in cash and in-kind awards.
TAF is excited to be preparing for its 9th Annual 2023 GAUNTLET Graduation and Award Ceremony which will take place at the Vinton War Memorial in Vinton, Virginia, on Thursday, May 25th from 5:30-8:00 PM.
The Entrepreneur Showcase begins at 5:30 with the 2023 entrepreneurs who will have display tables set up to show off their products/services. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet innovators from all across the state.
The Graduation and Awards Ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM and will celebrate the hard work of over 100 entrepreneurs from communities across Virginia including the Roanoke Valley, New River Valley, Shenandoah Valley, Southside, and Southwest. Following 10 weeks of business training, 45 businesses submitted business plans which moved them forward to the pitch competition and made them eligible for over $300,000 in cash and in-kind awards. These awards will be announced for the first time during the ceremony. The many people who make TAF’s work possible will also be recognized during the program including community leaders from around the region, program faculty, mentors/industry experts, and sponsors.