At the end of July, The Innovation Council (a subsidiary of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park) released its first ever Metrics Report, which provides a data-driven summary of the state of the innovation ecosystem in the Richmond region. The report, which will be updated annually, breaks down metrics focused on the direct and indirect factors that contribute to thriving, entrepreneurial region. Carrie Roth, President & CEO of The Innovation Council and Chair of the CRC Job Creation Action Team, stated that “this report will help drive the activity needed to solidify the Richmond region as a hub for knowledge-based startups, entrepreneurs and all things innovative.”

Below are some highlights from the Metrics Report:

• In 2014, for every 10,000 residents in Central Virginia there were 13 new startups;
• 44% of companies in the region are minority, veteran, or female led; and
• In 2015, there were 1,289 mentorship hours provided by Richmond professionals.

You can view the full 2016 report here, and be sure to check out the Expect the Unexpected, another publication of The Innovation Council that features stories from entrepreneurs around the region!

To learn more about the Regional Indicators Project, view our Indicators page.