Name

Black River Innovation Campus

Legal name

Black River Innovation Campus

Website

https://bricvt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Innovation Hub / Startup Incubator

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• STEAM education programs
• Coworking memberships
• Entrepreneurship training
• Rural innovation hubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Coworking Memberships: Monthly membership fees for flexible desk space, dedicated desks, conference room access, and studio reservations. Flex Desk at $80/month for 24/7 access, dedicated desks at $200/month.
2. Summer Camp Fees: STEAM summer camps for students grades 1-12 at $275 per camp plus materials fees, with financial aid available on a sliding scale
3. Grants and Philanthropic Support: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BRIC receives funding through grants including EDA Build to Scale ($3M), Siegel Family Endowment, and corporate foundation sponsors
4. Actuator Program: Free entrepreneurship program funded through grants; not directly revenue-generating but supports startup ecosystem growth
5. VRmont Studios Experiences: VR escape room bookings, team building events, and workshop fees for community and corporate groups

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Black River Innovation Campus operates a rural innovation hub that combines a coworking facility, an 8-week startup accelerator program (Actuator), STEAM education for K-12 students, and immersive technology experiences (VRmont Studios) for entrepreneurs, students, and adult learners in rural Vermont and New Hampshire. The organization also delivers free Google Career Certificate workforce training and corporate-sponsored innovation programming, leveraging 10 Gbps fiber connectivity and a NASA Technology Transfer partnership.

Product overview

Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) is a multi-faceted innovation hub in Springfield, Vermont offering a coordinated ecosystem of entrepreneurship support, technology education, and collaborative workspace services. The core portfolio consists of: Actuator (the 8-week tech entrepreneurship accelerator), VRmont Studios (the immersive technology and STEAM education center), coworking memberships (with 10 gigabit fiber infrastructure and multimedia production facilities), and STEAM Education Programs (summer camps, after-school programs, professional development). These offerings are designed to support the full lifecycle of innovation—from early-stage startup development through workforce training and community education—serving entrepreneurs, students, and local workers across rural Vermont.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VRmont Studios: An immersive technology and STEAM education center operated by Black River Innovation Campus, featuring virtual reality escape rooms, drone soccer, game development studio, makerspace, and LEGO robotics clubs. Located at 23-25 Main Street in downtown Springfield, Vermont.

Products and services

• BRIC Coworking Membership Subscription-based access to professional coworking space in Springfield, Vermont. Includes Flex Desk ($80/month, hot-desking) and Dedicated Desk ($200/month, reserved workstation) tiers with access to 10 Gbps fiber internet, meeting rooms, kitchen, and community events. Designed for remote workers, founders, and small teams seeking a professional workspace outside the home.
• Actuator Entrepreneurship Program Structured 8-week startup accelerator program, free to participants through grant funding (including EDA Build to Scale). Provides aspiring and early-stage founders with mentorship, curriculum, prototyping access via VRmont Studios, and integration into BRIC's coworking community. Open to applicants via an online application process.
• VRmont Studios Experience Programs Immersive technology experiences delivered through a dedicated center featuring VR headsets, drones, 3D printers, and a laser cutter, plus NASA's food simulation software via Technology Transfer Program partnership. Available as mobile experiences at schools and partner locations in addition to in-studio sessions. Geared toward students, families, and STEAM learners.
• STEAM Summer Camps Tuition-based seasonal STEAM camps priced at $275 per camp, with sliding-scale financial aid available. Run during summer months for K-12 students, covering science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through hands-on and immersive activities. Held on the BRIC campus and at partner camp locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.
• Google Career Certificates Program No-cost employer-recognized Google Career Certificates (e.g., IT support, data analytics, project management) delivered through BRIC for rural adult learners seeking digital-economy credentials. Sponsored to remove tuition barriers. Targets career-transitioning adults and remote workers in Vermont and New Hampshire.
• STEAM Education & Professional Development Programs School-year STEAM programming including after-school STEAM courses, curriculum partnerships with K-12 schools, and teacher professional development. Designed for school districts and educational institutions seeking structured STEAM enrichment and educator training in rural New England.

Quantifiable outcome

• 106 startups enrolled, $17M+ collective funding raised by clients
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and anchor tenant.

• University of Vermont (UVM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2025UVM students conducted summer research on rural coworking and innovation hubs as part of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, interviewing 26 community members across four innovation hubs including BRIC. Partnership studies how hubs function as engines for innovation, community-building, and economic resilience.
• Center on Rural Innovation (CORI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORI is a key strategic partner providing technical assistance through the Rural Innovation Initiative, helping BRIC access EDA Build to Scale funding and connecting BRIC to the Rural Innovation Network. CORI's 2022 Rural Innovation Initiative supported BRIC's grant application.
• NASA Goddard Space Flight CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRIC's Actuator program partners with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to provide commercialization opportunities with NASA-developed technology. Participants gain access to NASA IP catalog, mentors, inventors, and advisors from NASA teams. Focus on technology transfer program resources for rural entrepreneurs.
• Vermont State University / Vermont Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partners supporting BRIC's Actuator program with expertise in advanced manufacturing and computing. Vermont State University and Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative provide cohorts with manufacturing technologies, mentors, and tools. Partnership enables focus on advanced manufacturing startups.
• Norwich UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwich University provides advanced computing expertise to Actuator program participants, supporting focus areas including cybersecurity, quantum computing, AI, networks, and augmented reality. Partners with BRIC's 10GB Dark Fiber Network.
• VTelcoreTechnology or IntegrationVTel provides 10 gigabit fiber internet to BRIC's facilities, enabling high-speed connectivity for coworking, technology work, and advanced computing programs. VTel is BRIC's technology partner for internet infrastructure.
• Dartmouth College (Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship at Dartmouth College provides entrepreneurial resources and connections to BRIC as a sponsoring partner. Supports the rural innovation ecosystem.
• Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMEDC partnered with BRIC on the EDA Build to Scale application to launch an innovation hub in Randolph and execute regional ecosystem engagement strategies. Partnership expands geographic impact to White River Valley.
• Arsana Healthanchor tenantTechnology or IntegrationArsana Health (creator of WashSense) is an anchor tenant at BRIC's Springfield campus. A recipient of CORI Innovation Fund investment, the company develops healthcare software and hardware solutions for post-acute care facilities.
• Endless OS FoundationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationEducational partner providing software and resources for STEAM programming. Endless Access platform used through BRIC's STEAM education offerings for game development curriculum.
• Flatiron SchoolsupportingTechnology or IntegrationBRIC partnered with Flatiron School to offer online computer science classes including coding, data science, cybersecurity analytics, and UX/UI design. Students can access Income Share Agreements for flexible payment options.
• River Valley Technical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional educational partner for STEAM summer camps and robotics programs. Partnership delivers camp programming at the River Valley Tech Center location in Springfield, VT.
• Springfield Regional Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRDC partnered with BRIC on entrepreneurship support programs in the Springfield area. BRIC presented to the Springfield Selectboard on SRDC partnership initiatives for regional economic development.
• VCET (Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont technology council partner providing resources and connections for startups in the BRIC ecosystem.
• Vermont Technology CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner supporting Vermont's tech ecosystem and BRIC's programming.
• Springfield Regional Chamber of CommercesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional chamber partner providing business networking, community connections, and co-marketing opportunities for BRIC programs.
• Springfield On The MovesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization partner supporting community development and economic revitalization initiatives in Springfield, VT.
• Vermont Telephone Company / ECFibersupportingTechnology or IntegrationLocal technology partners providing broadband and telecommunications infrastructure support for the community's technology ecosystem.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network with thousands of alumni. Comparable to Actuator in accelerator mechanics but operates at much larger scale and with broader geographic reach than BRIC.
• MassChallenge: Global zero-equity accelerator. Comparable to Actuator in providing equity-free cohort programming for early-stage founders, though with a much larger applicant pool and urban anchor.
• WeWork: Largest coworking operator. Comparable to BRIC's coworking product line but with vastly broader real estate footprint and different target market (urban enterprises rather than rural entrepreneurs).

Direct peers

• Galvanize: Tech education and coworking operator that combined coding bootcamps with shared workspace. Directly comparable to BRIC's combination of STEAM education, professional development, and coworking memberships.
• Center on Rural Innovation (CORI): National nonprofit network building inclusive rural innovation economies. Most directly comparable to BRIC in mission and rural tech-hub operating model; already a BRIC partner through the Rural Innovation Initiative.
• gener8tor: National accelerator running cohort-based programs for startups. Comparable to BRIC's Actuator in cohort structure and mentorship model, though operating at much larger scale across multiple geographies.
• New Lab: Brooklyn-based innovation hub offering coworking, prototyping facilities, and venture support. Comparable to BRIC as a community innovation campus with maker/tech infrastructure and venture programming.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit technology hub combining coworking, accelerator programming, and corporate partnerships. Closely matches BRIC's hybrid incubator/coworking/education model.

Emerging players

• Code.org: Nonprofit expanding access to computer science education in K-12 schools. Comparable to BRIC's STEAM/computer science education mission and school-district engagement model, though at national scale.
• FIRST: Youth STEM nonprofit running FIRST LEGO League, FTC, and FRC robotics competitions. Comparable to BRIC's LEGO robotics clubs and STEAM education programming in target audience (K-12) and STEM mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bric-vt
• Xx.com/bricvt
• Facebookfacebook.com/BRICvt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Black River Innovation Campus