AI Learning and Innovation
Find practical AI programs to help you grow, innovate, and prepare for what’s next
AI for Business Workshops
For Entrepreneurs and Businesses
AI for Business Workshops are designed to help entrepreneurs and businesses learn how to use AI to save time, improve everyday tasks, and support business growth. Eligible businesses may also qualify for 1:1 technical assistance to support AI implementation in your business.
gener8tor Skills
AI for Leaders & AI for Professionals
gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders is a six-week online training program, built for teams of professionals. gener8tor Skills AI for Professionals is a four-week online training program, built for individual professionals.
AI Innovation Challenge
For High School Students
The AI Innovation Challenge invites students in grades 9–12 to identify a real-world problem, explore how AI could help, and develop a solution with support from educators and mentors. Teams will showcase their projects for a chance to win grant funding to implement their projects.
NOW OPEN
AI for Business Workshops
Practical, In-Person AI Training
Learn how to use AI to save time, improve everyday tasks, and support business growth. These live workshops will provide practical guidance for businesses, entrepreneurs, and their teams.
- $0 cost
- Open to: Business owners, entrepreneurs, and their teams
- Format: Live workshops at the SOVA Innovation Hub beginning October 2026 and continuing into 2027
- Topics: AI basics, data analysis, chatbots, workflows, content creation, and product development
- No prior AI or coding experience required
- Eligible businesses in the emerging industries, advanced manufacturing, or agriculture and forestry industries may also qualify for 1:1 technical assistance to support AI implementation in your business. Email hello@sovainnovationhub.com to inquire.
WAITLIST OPEN
gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders
Virtual 6-Week Training for Business Teams of 1-4 People
gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders is a six-week online training program, built for teams of professionals with a technical background.
- $0 cost (Microsoft covers tuition)
- Teams of 1 to 4 participants each (priority to teams with multiple members) from businesses based in Lunenburg, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Halifax, or Charlotte counties, VA
- Who it’s for: leaders, managers and decision makers. Preference goes to people who live and work in the region and join as a team from the same organization.
- Dates: February 22 – March 31, 2027 (6 weeks, about 5–10 hours per week), followed by an in-person celebration at the SOVA Innovation Hub
- Format: virtual and cohort-based, with weekly live Lunch and Learns
- You’ll leave with: A real AI use case for your organization, presented at a final Use Case Showcase to industry guests and peers and three professional certificates
- Seats: limited to 30
REGISTRATION OPEN
gener8tor Skills AI for Professionals
Virtual 4-Week Training for Individuals
gener8tor Skills AI for Professionals is a 4-week online training program built for individual professionals without a technical background.
- $0 cost (Microsoft covers tuition)
- Eligibility: Individuals in Lunenburg, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Halifax, or Charlotte counties, VA
- Who it’s for: Professionals seeking AI skills; preference goes to people who live and work in the region and join as a team from the same organization.
- Dates: March 2027 (4 weeks, about 4-5 hours per week on a schedule that fits around a full-time job)
- Format: Virtual
- You’ll leave with: Portfolio of 4 AI projects, real AI skills you can put to use in your professional role and 4 professional badges
- Seats: limited to 10
NOW OPEN
AI Innovation Challenge for High School Students
The AI Innovation Challenge invites students in grades 9–12 to identify a real-world problem, explore how AI could help, and develop a solution with support from educators and mentors. Teams will present their work at the SOVA Innovation Hub for a chance to win implementation grants. No prior AI or coding experience is required.
Workshops can be scheduled for participating groups in person, with Jacob Dolence joining a classroom by Zoom, or at SEED Innovation Hub in Farmville.
- Cost: Free; tuition is covered by SOVA Innovation Hub
- Program period: September 2026–April 2027
- Who can participate: High school teams in Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward, Buckingham, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Nottoway, and Cumberland counties
- School coordination: One lead educator serves as the contact for each participating school system
- Private school and homeschool students: Coordinated through Jacob Dolence of Longwood University