What 757 Collab does

757 Collab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit startup ecosystem organization headquartered at 400 Granby St in Norfolk, Virginia, serving the Hampton Roads region and broader southeastern Virginia. Originally founded in 2015 as 757 Angels and rebranded in 2024 under the 757 Collab umbrella, the organization operates a continuous pipeline of free, no-equity programs for early-stage founders. These include Startup Studios (a 6-month incubation program with rent-free office space at the Assembly campus), Accelerate (a 9-week mentor-driven accelerator providing $20,000 in non-dilutive capital and a multi-city investor roadshow), and Defend (an 11-week Defense Technology Accelerator built with the Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge to connect dual-use startups with Navy and Marine Corps stakeholders). Through its 757 Angels network, the organization connects 130+ accredited investors with vetted seed-stage Virginia companies and has invested over $100 million across 50+ portfolio companies.

Name

757 Collab

Legal name

757 Accelerate DBA 757 Collab

Website

https://757collab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

757 Collab is a Norfolk, Virginia-based nonprofit innovation hub providing free, no-equity incubation, acceleration, defense technology, and angel investment programs to early-stage founders in the Hampton Roads region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Incubator Services

NAICS

Business Support Services (5614)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration, API & Middleware Consulting (BPAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cloud Computing & Infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP, Virtualization) (EDABAFAB)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Accelerator programs
• Angel investment network
• Defense technology accelerator
• Entrepreneurship support

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: 757 Collab operates as a nonprofit organization receiving grant funding from government entities including the Department of Defense, Navy, Virginia Business Financing Authority (VSBFA), and VIPC to support startup ecosystem development.
2. Angel Investment Management: Through 757 Angels, membership fees support operations: Individual/household dues at $1,500/year, Corporate dues at $5,000/year with 3 employee memberships included. 757 Angels has invested over $100 million in startups.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Organizations including Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, VIPC, Hampton Roads Biomedical Research Consortium, Insperity, and Old Dominion University provide sponsorship and support enabling programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

757 Collab is a nonprofit innovation organization that supports early-stage founders through a continuum of free, equity-free programs including Startup Studios (incubation with rent-free workspace and mentorship), 757 Accelerate (a 9-12 week milestone-driven accelerator with non-dilutive capital), 757 Defend (an 11-week Defense Technology Accelerator connecting dual-use companies to the Department of Defense), and 757 Angels (an accredited angel investment network). The organization is headquartered at the Assembly campus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, and serves the Hampton Roads region.

Product overview

757 Collab is a nonprofit innovation organization providing a continuum of accelerator and incubator programs for startups in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The organization offers Startup Studios for early-stage incubation, Accelerate for growth-stage acceleration, Defend for defense technology dual-use startups, and 757 Angels for angel investment. Additional offerings include a Capital Readiness Program for financial advisory, the CMMC Accelerator for defense contractor certification, a Founder Circle membership, and the 757 Bytes podcast. All programs are free to founders with no equity taken, funded through sponsorships and grants. The ecosystem connects entrepreneurs with mentorship, capital, and workspace through the Assembly campus in Norfolk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 757 Startup Studios: Incubation program providing place, programming, mentorship, resources and support for early stage founders
• 757 Accelerate
• 757 Defend
• 757 Angels

Products and services

• Startup Studios Incubation program providing rent-free workspace, customized programming, and access to a 250+ mentor network for early-stage founders. Takes no equity and offers 6 months of programming with resources for underrepresented founders.
• 757 Accelerate Selective 9-12 week mentor-driven, milestone-based accelerator program providing startups with $10,000-$20,000 non-dilutive capital, connections to 100+ mentors and investors, and a multi-city investor roadshow. Requires at least one full-time founder and willingness to travel to Norfolk VA.
• 757 Defend (Defense Technology Accelerator) 11-week hybrid program helping early-stage companies transition dual-use technologies into the Department of Defense ecosystem. Focuses on unmanned surface vehicles, multi-domain targeting, electromagnetic spectrum monitoring, and autonomous network management. Includes $10,000 travel stipend and Demo Week with DoD leaders.
• CMMC Accelerator Structured, cohort-based sub-program designed to move defense contractors toward Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) without navigating complex requirements alone. Applications accepted on a rolling cohort basis.
• 757 Angels Angel investment network connecting accredited investors with vetted, high-growth seed-stage startups in Virginia. Individual/household dues at $1,500/year and corporate dues at $5,000/year with 3 employee memberships included. Over $100M invested in 50+ companies. Rated Top 3 angel group in North America by Angel Capital Association.
• Capital Readiness Program Free technical assistance advisory program providing financial literacy, accounting, and legal resources for small businesses with less than 10 employees. Includes up to 9 coaching hours and access to vendor discounts. Funded by Virginia Business Financing Authority (VSBFA).
• Founder Circle Invite-only annual membership program offering exclusive benefits including monthly pitch opportunities to Morrow's Capital Collective, PitchBook reports, quarterly Leadership Mastermind meetings, preferred intern access, and 24/7 Assembly access with business mailing address.
• Partnerships (Fee for Service) Customized programs for community organizations providing mentorship, sponsor engagement, and community leader coordination to support economic vibrancy in Hampton Roads.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180+ startups supported since 2021
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge (MATB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MATB partnered with 757 Collab to develop and deliver the Defense Technology Accelerator (DTA). MATB spent over two years shaping the concept, working across stakeholders to identify gaps in how emerging technologies transition into the DoD. MATB's government team provides deep government integration complementing 757 Collab's startup programming expertise. Together they developed the 11-week DTA connecting dual-use companies with DoD stakeholders.
• Old Dominion University (ODU)supportingOthersODU is listed as a sponsor of 757 Collab. Additionally, 757 Collab offers Entrepreneur Certificate in conjunction with ODU and Startup Virginia - a comprehensive 9-class series for founders.
• Hampton Roads Biomedical Research ConsortiumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHRBRC partners with 757 Collab to produce pre-acceleration programming for health and medical sector startups to increase tech transfer and commercialization opportunities.
• NavalXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMATB's partnership with NavalX grew in 2024 to run a new pilot defense accelerator in 2025 focusing on critical DoD needs with nationwide startup recruitment. This expands the defense innovation pathway beyond the existing DTA program.
• TechStarssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechStars 2023 accepted startups Reelist and Edenic Energy, both Startup Studio alumni, demonstrating pathway for graduates to access national accelerator programs.
• Black AmbitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlove Scaler, a Startup Studio company, was one of Black Ambition Prize Demo Day winners, connecting regional founders to national pitch competitions and funding opportunities.
• InsperitysupportingOthersInsperity is listed as a corporate sponsor supporting 757 Collab's innovation ecosystem.
• Metropolitan Business LeaguesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opening the Hampton Roads Capital Access Hub powered by Bridging Virginia, expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders in the region.
• AssemblycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner757 Collab is co-located with its portfolio programs, participating companies, and key partners in Assembly, an iconic campus in downtown Norfolk. Assembly is founded by Drew Ungvarsky (also on 757 Collab Board). Provides collaborative workspace, meeting facilities, and community environment.
• RISE Resilience SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRISE partners with 757 Collab to administer innovative programming specific to climate sector startups to accelerate their path to market.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Techstars: Techstars operates a global network of mentor-driven accelerators and runs defense-focused programs (Techstars Defense, Techstars Healthcare). 757 Collab's Accelerator and Defend programs share Techstars' cohort-based model and mentorship-driven methodology, and Techstars has directly accepted 757 Collab alumni (Reelist, Edenic Energy).
• gener8tor: gener8tor runs a national network of cohort-based accelerators (gener8tor, gBETA pre-accelerator) with no-equity and small-equity models and a strong Midwest/regional focus. Closely comparable to 757 Collab in cohort structure, mentor network emphasis, and regional ecosystem-building mission.
• MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a global, nonprofit accelerator providing equity-free programs to early-stage startups. Highly comparable in nonprofit structure, no-equity model, and emphasis on underserved founder populations — directly relevant as a peer for 757 Collab's mission-aligned, grant-funded operating model.
• Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA): ERA is a New York-based mentor-driven startup accelerator providing seed capital, office space, and investor introductions to early-stage founders. Comparable in cohort structure, mentor-driven methodology, and seed-stage capital access — a directly analogous for-profit peer.
• NSIN (National Security Innovation Network): NSIN is a DoD program office that connects national security problems with startups through accelerators, pitch events, and fellowships. Directly comparable to 757 Collab's Defend (DTA) program in mission to bridge dual-use startups with DoD end users and acquisition pathways.
• AFWERX: AFWERX is the U.S. Air Force's innovation arm operating accelerators, challenges, and SBIR/STTR programs to transition commercial technology into the DoD. Most directly comparable peer to 757 Defend in mission, operating model, and target customer (early-stage dual-use defense startups seeking DoD contracts).

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the largest global startup accelerator, providing seed funding, mentorship, and Demo Day exposure to thousands of founders. Comparable in core accelerator function, but operates at vastly greater scale, takes equity (7% standard), and serves a national/international audience — representing both an aspirational peer and a top-of-funnel competitor for ambitious founders.

Regional players

• 1776: 1776 was a Washington, DC-based startup hub that incubated ventures in regulated industries (health, education, energy) and connected founders to government buyers. Comparable to 757 Collab in regional ecosystem-building and government-procurement focus, though in a different mid-Atlantic geography.
• Capital Factory: Capital Factory is the largest Texas-based startup accelerator and venture hub, offering mentorship, coworking, and demo days. Comparable in mission to build a regional tech ecosystem and act as the central hub for founders, but operates in Austin/Dallas/Houston with a for-profit orientation.
• Innovation Works: Innovation Works is a Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and accelerator supporting robotics, AI, and life sciences startups. Comparable in regional seed-stage capital deployment and accelerator model, with a strong defense-adjacent (robotics/autonomy) portfolio that overlaps with 757 Collab's defense tech focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/757accelerate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/757-collab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments24 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 757 Collab