August 27, 2014

DANVILLE (WSLS) - The Launch Place received a $10 million grant from the Danville Regional Foundation to help start-ups in Danville. They have a "seed fund" from which businesses can receive up to $250,000. Other perks the non-profit provides are consulting and mentoring.

CEO of "The Launch Place" Eva Doss says this could help attract other businesses to the area.

"By recruiting these companies perhaps we are encouraging the creation of an entrepreneurial culture and also the revitalization of downtown," Doss said.

Certain criteria must be met before a start-up is awarded money from the fund. It must be willing to relocate to the River District in downtown Danville for three years and expect job growth within five years.

Graham Snyder is the CEO of Seal Innovation. It's a start up that created the swim monitoring and detection system. Snyder has taken away tools that will help his business succeed.

"The guidance to support things like referrals to other investors to manufacture even to consumers," Graham said.

Click here for the interview by Duke Carter, New River Valley Reporter.