Bridging Ecosystems: Tech x Entrepreneurship for Rural Transformation
Founders and Futurists combines Valley TechCon with the Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted by SVTC and SCCF, respectively, to bring tech professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs together under one roof.
With our reimagined FOUNDERS & FUTURISTS event, we will explore how rural entrepreneurs can leverage technology to scale, innovate, and transform their communities—and how the tech sector can embed entrepreneurial thinking to stay agile and rooted in real-world impact.
Rural communities like the Shenandoah Valley face a choice: adapt someone else’s version of innovation—or create our own. Too often, tech and entrepreneurship ecosystems overlook places like ours, leaving behind untapped talent, struggling local economies, and fading downtowns. Founders and Futurists is our response: a gathering where visionaries, builders, and community champions come together to imagine a future rooted in local values, economic resilience, and shared opportunity. This event is more than a conference—it’s the starting point for a movement to grow community wealth, retain our identity, and shape a new rural economy on our own terms.
Together, we can push the boundaries of what's possible in our region while still honoring our roots. Whether you're an entrepreneur in the agricultural technology industry, a small business owner who needs to stay ahead of AI trends, or a software developer who's creating for tomorrow's startups, we invite you to be part of the conversation.
What to expect this year
EVENT SCHEDULE
8:30 am | Doors Open & Networking
Registration and breakfast (included with your ticket)
9:30 am | Welcome Presentation
Presented by SCCF and SVTC
10:00 am | Opening Keynote Presentation
Proving Rural America Belongs in the Innovation Economy
Speaker: Molly Pyle, Center on Rural Innovation
10:45 am | Session 1: Cross-Sector Innovation & Ecosystem Building
Choose from:
Workshop - Building the Pipeline: Tech & Entrepreneurship Driving Rural Transformation
Speaker: Priscilla Cavalcante, Anna's House / C.U.B. Entrepreneurs
Presentation - Building Where You Are: Harnessing AI & Digital Tools Without Losing Your Identity
Speaker: Benjamin Breeden, Caf2Code
11:50 am | Session 2: Tech Tools & Digital Transformation
Panel - AI Subcommittee: How Large Organizations Implement AI Without Leaving Communities Behind
Moderator: Mark Pennypacker, VP of Scylla Group
Panelists: Daniel Rittenhouse, Interchange & Leslie Hicks, Cardinal Technologies
12:55 pm | Working Lunch Session: Future-Ready Leadership & Vision
(Lunch included with ticket)
FOUNDERS & FUTURISTS Project - Interactive session where attendees collaborate across tech & entrepreneurship tracks to prototype solutions for local challenges, fostering connections and innovative partnerships
Facilitators: SCCF x SVTC Team
2:05 pm | Session 3: Founder Journeys & Capital Pathways
Choose from:
Presentation - Cutting Through the Noise: Finding the AI Tools That Actually Work
Speaker: Peter Denbigh, Ai-Edge.pro
Workshop: AI for Entrepreneurs: Boosting Productivity with Smart Tools
Speaker: Dr. Yolanda Shields, Yesbuilds
3:10 pm | Session 4: Rural Innovation & Identity
Choose from:
Fireside Chat - Bridging the Gap Between Tech & Main Street
Panelists: Joe Holmes, Codecademy & Leah Kyaio, With Respect / RespexTech
Presentation - How Fiber Internet is Redefining Rural Business Infrastructure
Speaker: Bryant Harrison, Seventh Wall
4:15 pm | Break
Snacks / light refreshments provided
4:30 pm | Innovation Hot Seat
A dynamic, interactive finale to the conference!
Instead of a traditional pitch competition or curated judging panel, this session empowers the audience itself to serve as the advisory board. Entrepreneurs will use this platform to pitch their ideas, share the challenges they face, and receive real-time feedback, insights, and support directly from their peers, community leaders, and industry professionals in attendance. This format reflects the conference’s mission to bridge ecosystems and reimagine rural innovation—by giving entrepreneurs the ear of their community and the collective wisdom in the room.
5:00 pm | Closing Keynote Presentation
5:20 pm | Wrap-Up & Goodbye
(Sessions and topics subject to change)
Hear from past attendees
Damian Grey
One of the things I’ve enjoyed very much about this event is that they allow the entrepreneur to actually breathe at the event, take in the information, and the information is actually relatable. It’s information that’s coming from real world entrepreneurs, people who have gone through this.
FAQs
Who is FOUNDERS & FUTURISTS for?
FOUNDERS & FUTURISTS is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, tech professionals, and innovators from across the Shenandoah Valley. Whether you are pushing technological ideas in the Valley, utilizing AI for your business, or are just trying to stay ahead of innovation in our region, you will find informative and inspiring sessions for you. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, or where you live in the Valley, YOU ARE INVITED to be a part of the conversation!
What should I bring?
We suggest bringing a notebook, pens, and your laptop/tablet (and charger!) so that you can follow along with your facilitator. We also encourage you to bring your business cards to share with your fellow attendees!
Where can I park?
There will be reserved parking spaces on BRCC's campus. Stay tuned for more details.
Can I bring my own food if I have food allergies?
Yes! You can absolutely bring your own food - just let us know if you will and if you need a refrigerator to store your food in, and we will show you where it is. Remember to label your food. :)
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes! Our venue is accessible - you'll find accessible parking, entry, restrooms, pathways, and everything else you'll need.
Thank you to our Host Partner
Thank you to our Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring?
We can’t build an innovative ecosystem alone. By sponsoring FOUNDERS & FUTURISTS, you’re helping bring together the people, ideas, and energy needed to grow something real and lasting right here in the Shenandoah Valley. Your support means more chances for local businesses to thrive, more opportunities for our young people to stay and succeed, and a stronger, more connected community for all of us. Let’s shape what comes next—together!
Reach out to Ryan Hall at ryan@sccfva.org if you would like to become a sponsor.