RVA Works Information Night - Accelerate Your Business

About this event

**Business & Nonprofit Accelerator** **Fall 2026 Cohort is Forming Now** We help more people become business owners! Join us to learn more about our accelerator program which includes: * 13 Weeks of facilitated discussion * One-on-one mentoring sessions * Referrals to other support agencies and service providers * Alumni group meetings for peer learning and support * Pro bono attendance in future accelerator sessions * Weekly networking sessions to expand your professional circle We have been pleased to report that since 2014, 130 Participants have entered the accelerator program: * 130 Program Graduates * 80+ Percent Launch a Business * 38% - Alumni report an average increase of 38% in annual income **Meet Dale Fickett, RVA Works** founder. Dale Fickett is an entrepreneurship professor at the University of Richmond, a top 20 undergraduate business school. He also serves as President of RVA Works, a Virginia public charity providing educational and financial services to people facing economic and social barriers to business ownership. He is the lead organizer for Techstars Startup Weekend, a contributing author for[ ](https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Dale-Fickett-CEO-Co-Founder-Open-Trellis/a8884a83-80e2-4742-9c4f-1a62e8280657)*[Forbes](https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Dale-Fickett-CEO-Co-Founder-Open-Trellis/a8884a83-80e2-4742-9c4f-1a62e8280657)*, and provides policy guidance to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Dale has lectured and conducted research on entrepreneurial finance and developmental economics. His research is focused on access to small business credit, blockchain and AI technologies, and income mobility. He has previously served on board appointments at the Virginia Catholic Conference, and for Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade. He has led ventures in the fintech and retail sectors, and served as a strategy consultant with Accenture’s European Financial Services practice. He holds a BSBA from…