Skip to content Skip to footer

VIPC'S Mission

Connecting innovators with opportunities is our business.

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) was formed to support the Commonwealth’s vision for the expansion of innovation, opportunity, and job creation here in Virginia.

VIPC creates technology-based economic development strategies to accelerate innovation, imagination, and the next generation of technology and technology companies. VIPC, a non-profit corporation, bridges gaps at the earliest stages of the Innovation Continuum. Through commercialization and seed funding VIPC helps entrepreneurs launch and grow high-growth technology companies and create high-paying jobs for the future. VIPC helps facilitate national innovation leadership and an accelerated rate of technology adoption through partnerships with innovative technology start-up companies, ecosystems, and advanced technology consumers. 

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) is the operating non-profit of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA).

-Board of Directors-

Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) | Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)

CEO, the National Spine Health Foundation

Commonwealth Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Operating Partner, Thoma Bravo

Director, Apex CoVantage

Managing Director, Orion Capital

President & CEO, Washington Resource Associates

Former Director, University of Virginia Investment
Management Company

Managing Partner, Kefiweh Group; President, Kelley W. Powell, Inc.

Executive Chairman of the Board, NTELX

Head of Virginia Public Policy, Amazon

Joe Benevento

VIPC President & CEO

Nina Araujo-de-Kobes

Senior Executive Assistant

Investment Associate

Grants Associate

Director, Federal Funding Programs

Vice President, Communications & Marketing

Manager, Portfolio Analysis

Senior Human Resources Generalist

Senior Investment Associate

Data Analytics Manager

Senior Director, Investment Services

Investment Director

Corporate Strategy Manager

Portfolio Analyst

Vice President, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Senior Writer & Editor

Director of Grants and Research, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Chief Technology Officer, Vice President Strategic Initiatives

Chuck Kirby

Vice President, Smart Communities

Social Media & Marketing Assistant

Executive Financial Assistant

Manager,

Economic Development Partnerships, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Director, Smart Data

Director, Contracts and Grants

Senior Investment Associate

Senior Investment Director

Chief Human Resources Officer

Senior Director Investments

Director, Public Safety Innovation Center

Jean Staley

Project Manager

Senior Grants Associate

Senior Accountant

Investment Associate

Chief Financial Officer

Jasmine Torres

Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant

Director, Private Sector Grants

Events Director

Director, Unmanned Systems

Heather Tyler

Jr. Contracts & Grants Administrator

Chief Operating Officer

Manager, Information Systems

Chief Investment Officer, Vice President Division of Investment

Leslie Williams

Director, Business Operations