825K
Sq. ft. of space occupied
Our Mission
CvilleBioHub is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 with a mission to accelerate the life sciences industry in Central Virginia through engagement, resourcing, and education.
Our Vision
CvilleBioHub’s vision is to strengthen the life sciences ecosystem by doubling the size of the industry in the region by 2030, creating value, and reducing barriers for companies to thrive and grow.
Strategic Plan
2026-2029 Strategic Plan
- Accelerating Biotech Growth:
CvilleBioHub aims to double the size of Central Virginia’s life sciences industry by 2030 through expanded support for startups, enhanced lab infrastructure, and increased access to capital via its Commonwealth BioAccelerator. - Strengthening Industry Networks:
The CSuite Membership Program will deepen industry engagement, grow membership, and elevate the region’s national profile through events, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. - Building a Skilled Workforce:
A robust talent development strategy will create a regional bioscience talent pipeline, expand internships, and improve coordination among educators, employers, and workforce partners.
Annual Report
Our 2025 Annual Report captures the growth of Central Virginia’s life sciences ecosystem across companies, capital, talent, and programming. From early-stage innovation to scaled impact, the data tell a clear story: this region is accelerating.
Talent Pathways
CvilleBioHub released Talent Pathways: A Biosciences Workforce and Talent Strategy for GO Virginia Region 9, a comprehensive workforce roadmap developed in partnership with TEConomy Partners and funded by GO Virginia.
Our Team
The people behind CvilleBioHub bring decades of experience in life sciences, business, and entrepreneurship. Our team works directly with founders every day, offering the hands-on guidance, connections, and support needed to build companies that last. From accelerator programming to investor introductions, we're here to help you navigate every stage of growth.
Our Story
2026
A Decade Strong
CvilleBioHub marks ten years of building Charlottesville's life sciences ecosystem, growing from a community initiative into a regional engine for innovation and investment. This year also celebrates the Commonwealth BioAccelerator's first year in operation, a milestone that carries a decade of diligence into the region's next chapter of growth.
2026 was also the year Nikki Hastings, PhD, stepped into the role of President, marking a new phase of leadership as CvilleBioHub matures from a founding vision into an established institution.
2025
A New Home for Growth
Backed by $15M in state and regional investment, the Commonwealth BioAccelerator opened its doors at North Fork, giving Charlottesville's life sciences companies a dedicated home to scale. The space welcomed our first cohort of eight companies with lab access, operator mentorship, and investor connections in one place, built for companies ready to grow.
2025 was also the year the CSuite Membership program launched, giving founders and industry executives a place to collaborate and convene.
2024
Device & Tech Expo Launch
CvilleBioHub launched the inaugural Device & Tech Expo, giving founders across Charlottesville a stage to demo their devices and technology directly to the community. Eight companies exhibited that night, planting the roots of what has grown into an annual showcase for the region's medtech innovation.
2023
BioSpark Takes the Stage
CvilleBioHub introduced the BioSpark Pitch Competition, giving early-stage life sciences and medtech founders a platform to pitch directly to investors and industry leaders. The inaugural competition planted the seed for what would become one of the region's most anticipated founder showcases.
2022
The First BioDiscovery Summit
CvilleBioHub launched the first BioDiscovery Summit, giving the region's life sciences community its own stage for founders, investors, and industry leaders to convene. The inaugural Summit set the tone for what would grow into the ecosystem's signature annual event.
2019
A Bold Goal for the Region
CvilleBioHub set a bold goal: double the size of Charlottesville's life sciences industry by 2030. That goal gave the ecosystem a shared target to build toward, turning early momentum into a long-term strategy for growth.
2016
Where It Started
Revealed at the 2016 TomTom Festival, four cofounders, Nikki Hastings, Martin Chapman, Taylor Cope, and Susan Klees, announced that Charlottesville's life sciences community needed a place to connect and collaborate. That group founded CvilleBioHub, built on the belief that a shared home for founders, operators, and innovators could turn individual momentum into a true ecosystem.
