Rotarian Steve Jones (left) greets Paul Nolde, managing director of 757 Collab.
In 2015, Hampton Roads launched the first component of its quest to support entrepreneurs and help create a vibrant business community that augments the region's traditional reliance on the military, port and federal government to create jobs. At the July 25, 2023, Rotary Club of Norfolk meeting, Paul Nolde, the managing director of the 757 Collab, outlined the three anchors of the nonprofit organization, which includes 757 Angels, 757 Accelerate and 757 Startup Studios.
Since its founding in 2015, 757 Angels has invested $120 million in startup companies based primarily in Hampton Roads. Underpinning the funding is a network of more than 65 investors. The Angels have funded more than 50 companies, including those working with healthcare, drones and autonomous vehicles. So far, these businesses have created more than 2,000 jobs. 757 Angels is ranked as one of the Top 3 angel investment organizations in the country and recently became part of the VentureSouth network.
In 2018, 757 Accelerate began a offering startups a 12-week mentoring program and $20,000 in funding to help grow their businesses. For each annual cohort there are as many as 200 applicants from Virginia and beyond for nine slots. In 2020, 757 Startup Studios opened in downtown Norfolk to incubate entrepreneurs with ideas for new businesses. They get six months of free rent, special programs and access to mentors.
All three parts of 757 Collab strive to foster diversity and equity among the entrepreneurs, businesses and investors involved while supporting companies that will put down roots in Hampton Roads and create jobs.
The Meeting
Guests: Chip Finch brought Dr. David Blakey, a retired anesthesiologist. Chris Bugg brought Kristen Wheeler, a Navy veteran, and President Jeff brought John Ehehalt, formerly of Sysco Foods, and Richard Hahn, a real estate developer.
Marty Raiss' husband, George, fell recently, has had a partial hip replacement and will be entering rehabilitation soon.
Tom Koller encouraged Rotarians to sign up for the September 13th golf outing and social. All levels of golfers and non-golfers are welcome. Please consider donating silent auction items, too.
Jeff Ryder encouraged people to sign up to help Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding, one of the club's grant recipients, with its event on August 2nd at 5 p.m.
Happy Bucks & Fines
Sharon Laderberg is happy the Tiel, Netherlands exchange students got to meet the South American Tagu her son and daughter-in-law, who are veterinarians, donated to the Virginia Zoo.
Pam Tubbs is thrilled to welcome her fifth grandchild, Michael James Tubbs, who lives in South Carolina.
Ben Mason is gearing up for a 23-day cross-country trip to deliver his nephew's car to him in Lake Tahoe.
Dr. Bill Lehew enjoyed seeing the Hurrah Players in action recently and hopes the club will fund them.
Gary Bonnewell just returned from a vacation where the temperatures were in the 60s and he also lost three pounds.
Barbara Lifland returned recently from a trip to Europe where she got to explore her Swedish roots. She then went rafting in Idaho with her son and grandchildren.
LauraBeth DeHority had a great time in Hawaii and California. A highlight was seeing 28 sea turtles and swimming with 80 dolphins.
Lorna Cochrane just returned from Canada and brought her 14-year-old grandson for a summer visit.
Immediate Past President Laurie Harrison donated happy bucks for all the awards the club won recently at the District 7600 awards ceremony.
Tom Koller is proud that Laurie Harrison, his sister-in-law, was just named Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
The Rotary Club of Norfolk will sponsor its second annual Golf Classic & Social on Wednesday, September 13, at Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach.
Golfers of all abilities are encouraged to sign up for lunch and the golf outing. Golfers can arrive as early as 10:30 a.m. to practice, then enjoy a barbecue lunch before teeing off at 1 p.m. Non-golfers can register for the social at the end of the outing, which will start at 6 p.m. and include food, a silent auction and prizes for the golfers. Proceeds will benefit Norfolk Rotary Charities, which benefits numerous local nonprofits.
