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SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation is seeking locally connected professionals or organizations to provide Business Navigation for the RISE AI-Ready Entrepreneurial Ecosystem project, which is part of the RISE: Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs initiative (https://sovarise.com).

RISE Business Navigators will help entrepreneurs and businesses identify opportunities, connect with regional expertise, and move forward with AI adoption, innovation, commercialization, and business growth. The role combines local outreach with individualized service coordination and consistent follow-up. This contractor opportunity is part of the SOVA Innovation Hub’s grant from GO Virginia (GOVA) for the RISE: AI-Ready Entrepreneurial Ecosystem project. This is opportunity is available from January 2027 through December 2028 and is based on funding availability.

Services requested

• Identify prospects and recruit participants through cold calling, direct outreach, business visits, local relationships, and existing RISE Referral Partners.
• Complete standardized intake, eligibility screening, and AI & Digital Opportunity Assessments.
• Develop Individual Service Plans that identify business goals, appropriate resources, service milestones, and next steps.
• Work through established RISE referral pathways to coordinate warm referrals and approved services with regional partners and qualified specialists.
• Meet entrepreneurs and businesses at their location or another appropriate setting and tailor support to their business stage, readiness, and goals.
• Document outreach, services, referrals, follow-up, and outcomes in the RISE CRM, HubSpot, and complete monthly reports.

The project focuses on Emerging Technologies; Advanced Manufacturing; and Agriculture, Forestry, and related AgTech and Agribusiness. Navigators coordinate services with partners such as Longwood SBDC, Virginia SBDC ICAP, Virginia APEX Accelerator, innovation centers, and makerspaces. Specialized technical services are separately scoped and delivered by qualified providers.

Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate strong local relationships; relevant experience with entrepreneurs, businesses, or economic development; clear communication and follow-through; awareness of the target industries; and comfort initiating conversations with prospective participants, including cold calls. Applicants must be willing to use existing RISE referral pathways, document work in HubSpot, and meet participants where they are geographically and in their business journey. Target industry experience and knowledge of regional business resources are preferred.

Practical AI and business literacy

• AI literacy: A working understanding of common AI tools, potential business uses, limitations, and responsible use, including privacy and accuracy.
• Business literacy: An understanding of business stages and core concepts such as customers, revenue, costs, operations, and growth, with the ability to discuss business goals and recognize when specialized assistance is needed.
• Connecting the two: Comfort asking informed questions, identifying potential AI and digital opportunities, and connecting businesses with appropriate training, technical assistance, and commercialization resources.

AI development expertise and expertise in every business discipline are not required. Applicants should bring sound judgment, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning. SIHC will provide orientation on program assessment tools, service planning, and referral procedures.

Service area and contract terms

Preference will be given to applicants based in Southern Virginia, particularly within GO Virginia Region 3, who demonstrate established relationships and knowledge of the communities they propose to serve. Applicants must be able to provide in-person engagement within their assigned service area.

The initiative serves all 15 GO Virginia Region 3 localities. Applicants may propose one or more localities within the project service area.

This is a 1099 independent contractor opportunity. The initial contract term is 12 months, with renewal subject to funding, performance, and written agreement. The anticipated project period is January 2027 through December 2028. Compensation will be established in a written scope based on assigned coverage and agreed deliverables. Travel within the assigned service area and participation in agreed regional activities are part of the proposed scope.

How to respond

Email a proposal as a PDF attachment, with an optional capability statement, resume, or portfolio, to Lauren Mathena, RISE Program Director, at lauren.mathena@sovainnovationhub.com. Use the subject line “RISE Business Navigator – [Your Name].”

In your proposal, please include:

• The proposed locality(ies) you prefer to serve
• A brief description of relevant experience and qualifications
• A brief description of relevant local relationships 
• A proposed approach to identifying target industry businesses and entrepreneurs
• A brief example demonstrating your practical AI literacy, such as using AI for a business task, helping a business identify a need, or connecting an entrepreneur with appropriate expertise
• Your availability to begin in January 2027 and anticipated availability (hours per week)

Selection will consider relevant experience, local relationships, service approach, geographic coverage, and capacity. Contract awards are subject to available funding and applicable procurement requirements.  Selected providers will complete a Business Navigator agreement, applicable disclosures, and assignment-specific scopes before delivering authorized work.

For priority consideration, submit your materials by January 25, 2027. Responses received afterward may be considered as needs and funding allow.

SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation is seeking qualified individuals and organizations to provide AI training, AI technical assistance, technical assessments, and commercialization assistance through the RISE AI-Ready Entrepreneurial Ecosystem project, which is part of the RISE: Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs initiative (https://sovarise.com).

Applicants may propose one or more service categories based on their expertise. This contractor opportunity is part of the SOVA Innovation Hub’s grant from GO Virginia (GOVA) for the RISE: AI-Ready Entrepreneurial Ecosystem project. This is opportunity is available from January 2027 through December 2028 and is based on funding availability.

Who this role serves

RISE Qualified Service Providers support entrepreneurs, startups, and existing traded-sector businesses across all 15 GO Virginia Region 3 localities. Target industries are Emerging Technologies; Advanced Manufacturing; and Agriculture, Forestry, and related AgTech and Agribusiness. Services are intended to contribute to target-industry businesses served, businesses created, and jobs created.

AI education may serve a broader audience and introduce prospective participants to the program. Individualized project-funded services are subject to participant eligibility, documented needs, available funding, and SOVA Innovation Hub approval.

Service categories

AI Trainer

Prepare and deliver practical AI workshops, demonstrations, and learning activities for entrepreneurs and businesses. Services may include introductory or industry-specific instruction, learning materials, participant feedback, and agreed post-workshop reflection.

AI Technical Assistance Provider

Help individual businesses evaluate and apply AI to a defined need. Services may include use-case identification, tool comparison, prompt and workflow development, responsible-use practices, and guided implementation planning or limited configuration.

Technical Assessment Provider

Assess a defined technical opportunity, feasibility question, or implementation need and recommend next steps. Areas may include AI, engineering, software, product or prototype feasibility, manufacturing readiness, cybersecurity, testing, regulatory preparation, systems integration, and agricultural technologies. Assessments may cover broader technical needs beyond AI.

Commercialization Assistance Provider

Deliver specialized implementation services that help move a validated product, technology, process, or opportunity toward prototyping, testing, pilot deployment, manufacturing readiness, regulatory preparation, or an initial commercial sale. Work may include engineering, prototype or software development, AI integration, and other approved technical services. An AI component is not required for every assignment; the work must align with the approved project and participant service plan.

Provider opportunity continued

Qualifications and approach

• Demonstrated expertise and relevant experience in each proposed service category, including examples of completed work or training delivered.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and tailor services to a participant’s industry, business stage, readiness, and goals.
• Willingness to coordinate with RISE Business Navigators and existing partners, complement available resources, and document services and participant progress.
• Commitment to confidentiality, responsible use of AI, clear pricing, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and delivery of agreed work products.
• Any licenses, credentials, or professional qualifications required for the proposed work.

Regional preference and service delivery

Preference will be given to qualified providers based in Southern Virginia who demonstrate relevant expertise and familiarity with the region’s businesses. Providers outside the region may also be considered based on specialized expertise, service availability, and participant needs. Services may be delivered in person, virtually, or through a combination, depending on the assignment.

Contract structure and compensation

This is an independent contractor opportunity with SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation (SIHC). Approved providers may offer one or more service categories listed above. Selection does not guarantee assignments or a minimum payment. Each funded assignment will have a written scope, deliverables, schedule, fee, and SIHC approval before work begins. Rates may be proposed by session, hour, project, or milestone as appropriate.

Applicants should identify services offered pro bono, paid services, any free consultation or service limits, and separately funded or discounted offerings. A referral alone does not authorize payment. Pro bono services do not create an obligation for participants to purchase additional services.

The anticipated grant period is January 2027 through December 2028. Contract terms and assignments are subject to funding, applicable procurement requirements, participant needs, and written agreement.

How to respond

Email a proposal as a PDF attachment, with an optional capability statement, resume or portfolio, to Lauren Mathena, RISE Program Director, at lauren.mathena@sovainnovationhub.com. Use the subject line “RISE Qualified Service Provider – [Your Name].”

In the proposal, please include:

• Proposed service categories (AI Trainer, AI Technical Assistance Provider, Technical Assessment Provider and/or Commercialization Services Provider)
• Your availability and capacity (anticipated hours/week)
• Service area and preferred delivery format (i.e., inperson or virtual; individual or groups)
• Proposed rate schedule, including any pro bono and paid offerings with pricing and limits
• Preferred referral process and contact
• Any potential conflicts of interest
• Specific offerings
• Relevant experience and examples; industries, business types, stages, and sizes served
• Additional relevant, supporting information as needed

Responses will be reviewed for relevant expertise, service approach, participant and industry fit, geographic coverage, capacity, and proposed cost. Selected providers will complete a Qualified Service Provider agreement, applicable disclosures, and assignment-specific scopes before delivering authorized work.

For priority consideration, submit your materials by January 25, 2027. Responses received afterward may be considered as needs and funding allow.