The 1717 Collective
The 1717 Collective is a group of nonprofit organizations that support founders, entrepreneurs, and community members as they navigate the ups and downs of small business ownership. Every organization in the Collective has ties to the Michael Wassmer Center for Innovation, located at 1717 E Cary St in Richmond, VA — as current or former tenants.
In February 2023, the Collective came together to discuss aligned missions and share ideas. But time again, our conversations circled back to one question: How can we strengthen the small business ecosystem in the Greater Richmond area? When we talk about an “ecosystem,” we mean the vibrant network of people, organizations, places, and resources that help small businesses in the region scale up or scale deep into the local economy. What if this network of entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) was more connected, more communicative, and more collaborative? How can we make it easier for entrepreneurs to find and access resources? How many more businesses could be successful with an interconnected community behind them?
To explore these possibilities, the 1717 Collective launched an initiative to connect business support efforts and make it easier for entrepreneurs to build their network and navigate available resources. In October 2024 — we took a huge step by hiring the region’s first full-time Director of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. By working together, we can unlock bigger opportunities and drive greater success for our region as a whole.
This work is open to anyone in the Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond who is passionate about supporting small business owners, investing in our main streets, and boosting economic mobility as a region. We invite your participation as we draft a Collective Impact Model and unite to tell a powerful story about what’s possible together.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of Capital One, Altria, and the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond.
Want to get involved or need help finding resources for a small business? Reach out here.
Member Organizations:
