Innovation

CCI prioritizes innovation, igniting the creation of jobs and new businesses focused on advanced cybersecurity technologies in Virginia.

Our four regional nodes connect members with incubators, commercialization guidance, and other resources, giving CCI innovators the tools to become entrepreneurs and job creators.

Spark of an Idea

Innovation is vital to:

• Staying relevant in a competitive world.
• Adapting to a changing environment.
• Maintaining a healthy business.
• Creating jobs.

Failing to innovate can lead to:

• Losing Virginia’s highly skilled graduates and workers to other states and regions
• Seeing existing businesses shut down or move due to lack of qualified workers.
• An inability to solve new and unpredictable challenges.

Make that Idea Tangible

A great discovery is almost meaningless without the resources to develop and implement it. CCI helps members of our community start businesses by providing:

• Seed funding
• Incubators and accelerators
• Introductions to investors and venture capitalists

CCI members’ Offices of Technology Transfer (or their equivalent) provide:

• Guidance on invention disclosure
• Help with legal and patent-filing processes to protect intellectual property
• Resources for startup companies
• Introductions to potential investors.
• Technologies available for licensing. 
• Direction on compliance requirements.
• Resources to help develop a business and marketing plan.

Additional Resources

If your college or university doesn’t have an Office of Technology Transfer (and even if it does), you can find helpful resources through the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, CCI member schools, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and other agencies.