Our Story / Get to know rvatech
History
Originally formed in 1989 as the Central Virginia High Technology Network, later renamed the Greater Richmond Technology Council (GRTC, RichTech), and most recently rebranded as the Richmond Technology Council (RVATECH), we are a member-driven association of businesses and organizations working together to ensure the continued growth of Greater Richmond's dynamic technology-based economy.
Mission
Promote the success of technology companies and the growth of the technology sector within the Central Virginia economy.
Vision
A strong regional economy that supports the continued growth of existing technology industries and identifies the Greater Richmond region as a location of choice for new and emerging technology companies.
Together, we build a stronger and more inclusive technology community for Richmond.
As such, RVATECH is committed to being:
Active in our awareness about ourselves, our ecosystem, and our future;
Intentional in our pursuit of diversity in programs, partners, and leaders;
Collaborative in our relationships with others to maximize impact;
Open to new ideas in pursuit of universal opportunity;
Dedicated to making technology accessible to underserved communities; and
Purposeful in leveraging technology to empower any individual or business to thrive.
Values
Technology first.
Technology lives at the heart of our organization and is the reason we exist. We strive to improve our community’s awareness, understanding, and ability to implement technology solutions. We celebrate all that it does to make our world a better place.
An ecosystem focus.
There are many constituents in the community we serve: enterprise, mid-size, and startup companies, vendors and consultants, schools, government, and non-profit organizations, and the public.
We strive to offer a portfolio of programs and services that reflects the entire ecosystem as our guiding element, rather than any one specific element of it.
The pursuit of equity.
We seek a level playing field of opportunity within the tech industry for all individuals, businesses, and communities. We seek access to the skills and knowledge people need in their careers, we seek access to a competitive and fair commercial landscape for companies to thrive, and we seek access to education and availability among those without it.
Continuous improvement, progress, and growth.
Our member companies evolve and iterate every day, and we aim to do the same.
Each year brings an opportunity for better programs, more impactful services, and an even broader network of people to connect. We want to consistently move forward.
Celebrating impact.
Great things happen here.
When they do, we showcase them, we storytell about them, and we share those achievements with our community for learning and inspiration, so that new aspirations can be created for the future.
Goals
1.
Promote the development, growth and recognition of technology and technology companies in Central Virginia.
2.
Advocate and support an economic, tax and regulatory environment and the creation of a technology infrastructure and workforce that will maximize the competitiveness of the area’s technology community.
3.
Provide a forum in which technology companies can exchange ideas and information, and capitalize on business opportunities.
4.
Deliver programs and services that promote the recognition of and enhance the business value to Council members.
5.
Identify, acquaint and enroll new members and integrate new and existing members into active and rewarding participation.
6.
Identify and provide support for community-based technology needs.