VirginiaBIO

What VirginiaBIO does

VirginiaBIO (legally Virginia Bio / Virginia Biotechnology Association) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 1989 and headquartered at 800 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia. It serves as the statewide convening body for Virginia's life sciences industry, representing an ecosystem of 3,433 companies that collectively employ 30,504 people, contribute $8 billion annually to Virginia's economy, and support 1,197 biopharmaceutical clinical trials per year. The organization operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) under CEO John Newby and VP Operations Caron Trumbo, and is a state affiliate of BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization). Its member base spans biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and agbio companies, alongside academic research institutions (UVA, VCU, Virginia Tech, George Mason, Old Dominion, EVMS) and government economic development entities.

The organization delivers its value through a portfolio of programs rather than a single product. The flagship is Virginia Bio-Connect, a $3.2 million GO Virginia-funded statewide consortium (launched December 2020) that operates as a central digital hub connecting five regional BioHubs (Charlottesville, Coastal Virginia, Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Roanoke/Blacksburg/Lynchburg) with commercialization programs, funding mechanisms, accelerators, job boards, internship pipelines, and shared research equipment. Signature events include THRiVE (commercialization), Women Building Bio (leadership), AgBio (agricultural biotech), the 12th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Week, and the Virginia Networking Breakfast at BIO International. Supporting services include a member directory, webinars and educational video library, advocacy at state and federal levels, and workforce development via the affiliated Virginia Bioscience Foundation.

VirginiaBIO is funded through tiered membership dues, corporate sponsorships, and restricted programmatic grants. Premium partners include Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, VWR, Cooley, Canon, DPR, Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS, Activation Capital, Virginia Catalyst, and VIPC, among others. The organization is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and operates independently with no parent company or investor ownership. Its go-to-market is regional (Virginia only), with no global footprint claim, and it competes not on technology but on institutional convening power, policy access, and ecosystem coordination. The BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland/Virginia/D.C.) has been ranked a Top 3 U.S. Biopharma Cluster by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) for four consecutive years (2023-2026), providing reputational tailwind for membership and partnership growth.

Name

VirginiaBIO

Legal name

Virginia Bio

Website

https://vabio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VirginiaBIO is a statewide non-profit trade association founded in 1989, headquartered in Richmond, VA, that convenes and advocates for Virginia's 3,433 life sciences companies through events, the Virginia Bio-Connect consortium, policy advocacy, and workforce development programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and sponsorships: VirginiaBIO operates as a membership-based trade association. The organization generates revenue through annual membership dues and corporate sponsorships. Premium partners section on the website indicates tiered sponsorship arrangements with companies including Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, VWR, Cooley, and others.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VirginiaBIO is a statewide non-profit trade association that provides membership-based networking, advocacy, capital investment facilitation, talent development, and resource access services to Virginia's life sciences industry. The organization connects biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and life sciences companies with research institutions, policymakers, investors, and workforce programs through events, regional BioHubs, and the Virginia Bio-Connect consortium.

Product overview

Virginia Bio (Virginia Biotechnology Association) is a non-profit trade association that serves as a membership-based organization connecting and supporting Virginia's bioscience community. Rather than offering a single product, the organization provides a portfolio of programs and services including Virginia Bio-Connect (a statewide consortium hub for life science resources), signature events (THRiVE, Women Building Bio, AgBio, BioHealth Capital Region Week, Virginia Networking Breakfast at BIO International), member directory access, educational resources (webinars, videos), advocacy services, and workforce development initiatives through the Virginia Bio Foundation. These offerings work together to promote innovation, growth, capital investment, talent development, and advocacy for the biotechnology industry across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Virginia Bio-Connect A central digital hub and multi-regional consortium designed to increase connectivity and awareness of existing programs, resources, and communities supporting the life sciences industry in Virginia, including commercialization programs, funding mechanisms, accelerators, job boards, internship programs, and core research equipment facilities. Targeted at Virginia life science companies and ecosystem partners.
• THRiVE A signature industry event focused on bioscience commercialization, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government, investment, and entrepreneurship for collaboration and growth. Targeted at life science executives, researchers, and investors.
• Women Building Bio An annual conference focused on advancing women scientist-leaders in the bioscience ecosystem through collective importance, strengths, and professional development. Targeted at women leaders in the bioscience industry.
• AgBio An agricultural biotechnology event program connecting bioscience innovators focused on food, agriculture, and related technologies. Targeted at agricultural biotechnology companies and researchers.
• Virginia Networking Breakfast at BIO International An annual networking event at the BIO International Convention connecting Virginia's life sciences community with colleagues and innovators across the industry. Targeted at Virginia life science companies attending BIO International.
• BioHealth Capital Region Week An annual forum and investment conference bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government, investment, and entrepreneurship focused on collaboration, innovation, commercialization, and growth across the BioHealth Capital Region. Targeted at biopharma industry executives and investors.
• Member Directory An online directory providing access to Virginia's bioscience company members, enabling networking and business connections within the ecosystem. Available to Virginia Bio members.
• Resource Library A digital repository of webinars, educational videos, and G2G resources for member companies to access industry knowledge and professional development materials. Available to Virginia Bio members.
• Virginia Bio Foundation A foundation focused on advancing bioscience education and workforce development, including STEM camp funding and scholarship programs for minority and underserved students. Targeted at students and educators.
• Discount Purchasing Programs Member benefits program providing access to discounted rates on products and services relevant to the bioscience industry. Available to Virginia Bio members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Projected creation of 15 new life science companies, 254 new jobs, and $25M+ economic boost through Virginia Bio-Connect program
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Activation CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivation Capital is a key operational partner, co-leading the Richmond regional BioHub through Virginia Bio-Connect. The organization leads ecosystem development initiatives including Frontier BioHealth accelerator programs.
• CvilleBioHubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCvilleBioHub is a key partner co-leading the Charlottesville/Albemarle regional BioHub and providing expertise that informed the Virginia Bio-Connect statewide program. Nikki Hastings serves as President.
• BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerVirginiaBIO is a state affiliate of BIO, enabling participation in national biotech events, advocacy coordination, and access to BIO resources. Jointly sponsors the Virginia Networking Breakfast at BIO International.
• Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABSstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerJLABS@Washington DC hosts Blue Knight companies and provides incubation opportunities for Virginia biotech startups through the Johnson & Johnson Innovation network.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEDP collaborates on events including the Virginia Networking Breakfast at BIO International and supports Virginia's biotech recruitment and business development efforts.
• University of Virginia Licensing and Ventures GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Charlottesville/Albemarle regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect, contributing technology transfer and commercialization expertise.
• Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Coastal Virginia regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect, contributing research and clinical expertise.
• George Mason UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Northern Virginia regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect through the Institute for Biohealth Innovation. Also provides mentorship support for bio startups through Mason Enterprise.
• Virginia Tech Fralin Biomedical Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Roanoke/Blacksburg/Lynchburg regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect, contributing research expertise from Virginia Tech's Carilion campus.
• Carilion CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leads the Roanoke/Blacksburg/Lynchburg regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect, contributing clinical and healthcare expertise.
• Prince William County Department of Economic DevelopmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on the Northern Virginia regional BioHub under Virginia Bio-Connect, contributing local economic development support and resources for life science startups.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MassBio: Massachusetts state biotechnology trade association providing membership, advocacy, and ecosystem-building services. Directly comparable to VirginiaBIO as a state-level industry association serving life sciences companies with similar programming (events, advocacy, networking).
• California Life Sciences (Biocom California): California's statewide life sciences trade association. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, offering membership, advocacy, capital access, and networking for biotech, medtech, and digital health companies across California.
• Bio NJ: New Jersey's life sciences trade association representing biotech, pharma, and medical device companies. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO in mission, structure (501(c)(6)), and service portfolio.
• NCBIO: North Carolina Biosciences Organization, the state trade association for North Carolina's life sciences industry. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, both serving Research Triangle-adjacent ecosystems with overlapping regional cluster dynamics.
• BioFlorida: Florida's statewide biotechnology and life sciences trade association. Direct peer offering membership, advocacy, and networking for biotech companies, comparable in scope to VirginiaBIO.
• MichBio: Michigan's statewide life sciences trade association. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, serving member companies through advocacy, education, and ecosystem development programming.
• BioOhio: Ohio's bioscience growth association. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, providing advocacy, networking, and member services for Ohio's life sciences industry with comparable nonprofit trade association structure.
• BioForward Wisconsin: Wisconsin's statewide biohealth trade association. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, serving biotech and health tech companies with advocacy, talent development, and cluster-building initiatives.
• Georgia Bio: Georgia's life sciences industry trade association. Direct peer to VirginiaBIO, advancing the state's biotech ecosystem through membership services, advocacy, and partnership programs.

Broad incumbents

• BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization): National biotechnology trade association and VirginiaBIO's parent affiliate. Serves as the umbrella body for state biotech associations, providing national advocacy and event programming that VirginiaBIO extends locally.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/virginiabio
• Xx.com/vabio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virginia-biotechnology-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 VirginiaBIO