Richmond and the Birthplace of Businesses

It’s well known that Richmond is the capital of Virginia (at least, we hope you know that), ranks as one of the top 10 tattooed cities in America and is the home of Nutzy the Squirrel.

Great, we’ve got that.

But Richmond also brings something else to the table just as fascinating: a breeding ground for new business.

From tiny startups to larger corporations, Richmond has the uncanny ability to attract business owners. What’s more, the entrepreneurial community senses the unique opportunities offered by the aspect of a Richmond-based company.

Big-name companies such as Capital One and CarMax have been in the city for years, but, with the number of Richmond startups launching, it’s clear the entrepreneurial vibe is spreading like wildfire. Check out these startups that call Richmond home:

LucyPhone:

The technology movement is exploding and Richmond is one city not to be left out. LucyPhone, the brainchild of brothers and cofounders Tom and Mike Oristian, is just one example of Richmond’s growing tech community.  

The innovative smartphone app and online tool connects users to customer service, sans the wait. Users hang up when put on hold (take that, elevator music), while LucyPhone takes their place in line. When the wait time is over, users are called back by a customer service representative. For those who are all too familiar with calling companies and enduring long wait times (losing minutes of your life you’ll never get back), this creative, free service is welcome. And, since Richmond is, no doubt, in the running for the title “Capital of Creativity,” it’s no wonder the brothers chose Richmond as a home for the company.

“There’s just a general inventiveness about the people of Richmond that is somewhat contagious,” said Tom Oristian. “Not to mention, riding my bike to work every morning past the ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ site fills me with stubborn entrepreneurial enthusiasm” he jokes.

But all jokes aside, LucyPhone is rapidly gaining recognition nationally, landing spots in The New York Times and LifeHacker—which is a good thing for the city and an encouragement for other local small businesses. As LucyPhone helps continue to earn Richmond a spot on the tech community radar, the brothers have noticed the solid benefits of a Richmond-based company.

“Really, I think we’re just starting to find the opportunities for cross-pollination with other tech companies here. For example, we met some great people by attending the LinkedInLive event earlier this month,” Mike Oristian explained. “Richmond clearly has the lifestyle aesthetic to attract and keep top creative and technology talent interested in living here.”

Tumblr:

As the 39th most viewed site on the Internet, Tumblr, a popular micro-blogging platform, is not to be underestimated. Neither is the presence of its Tumblr support office in Richmond. With headquarters in Manhattan, the opening of the new support office can be considered a rebirth of sorts. The company, which hosts almost 22 million blogs, opened an office this year in the Corrugated Box Building in Manchester and chose Richmond for both practical and economical reasons. According to Marc LaFountain, Tumblr’s community director, they got much more.

“I really feel like the city has brought a ton to Tumblr. It goes beyond just being able to place employees here, “LaFountain said.  With the strong presence of a social media community, which can be found manifested in organizations such as the Social Media Club Richmond and LinkedInLive Richmond, the city seems a likely place to support Tumblr roots and LaFountain seems to agree.

“Richmonders really seem to have embraced Tumblr itself. So many people in Richmond are blogging on Tumblr these days. And, the turnout for Richmond Tumblr Meetups seems to get bigger every time we have one,” LaFountain pointed out.

In addition to obvious cost savings, the city offers Tumblr a highly diverse and educated labor pool. But the relationship is not one-sided. The opening of the Tumblr support office found Richmond’s name splashed across various online newspapers and blogs, once again reminding the nation of the innovative energy found in the city. 

“Hopefully, Tumblr is helping showcase Richmond’s digital and creative aspects,” explained LaFountain. “The many talented, passionate, visionary people in Richmond doing so many amazing things doesn’t always get recognized as much as it should. Perhaps Tumblr having a presence in Richmond can shine more light on things the community is doing as a whole.”

Green Duck:

These days, green is the new black and Jocelyn Tice, the owner of Green Duck, makes sure Richmond doesn’t miss out. Green Duck supplies compostable food packaging products to restaurants, businesses and cafés wanting to join in the green movement. But the company doesn’t stop there. Green Duck also follows through with compostable and recyclable plans for customers and educates the community.

“I think Green Duck has brought an awareness to the city and to Virginia. Awareness that there are plant-based alternatives to the legacy petroleum-based plastics and packaging,” said Tice.

For a city with such a high number of restaurants per capita, there’s bound to be large amounts of food packaging, making the startup a natural fit for Richmond. But the number of restaurants is not the only reason the company has done well.  Tice believes Richmond’s community has had a hand in it as well.

“I believe Richmond is the perfect size to start a business—not too small, not too big,” said Tice. “I feel as though the community has been very accepting and supportive as the business has grown.”

Richmond is a great place to start a business. I have found that it is a very supportive community related to having a business.

Restaurants such as Acacia Midtown, Urban Farmhouse Café and Mezzanine 3433 are examples of Richmond’s supportive community showing a willingness to help local business owners and the interest in the green movement. What’s more, with help from organizations such as New Visions New Ventures and the Small Business Administration, Green Duck has expanded nationwide, joining ranks with other startups that have placed Richmond on the map.

These startups are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you know of any new Richmond startups? Comment and let us know.