Agriculture Entrepreneurs, Startups, Business Expansions

Center Street Pitch Competition Sponsorship Package

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Center Street Competition Sponsorship Package

Presented by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center and Downtown Ashland Association 

About the Competition

The Center Street Pitch Competition is a dynamic showcase of entrepreneurial talent in Ashland, Hanover County, and the greater Richmond area. Local entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes and a year-long membership at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC). The competition will be held in early May 2026 and more details will be available soon!  Finalists compete in 3 different categories: 

  • Center of the Universe – Town of Ashland businesses
  • Hanover County – Hanover County businesses 
  • Agriculture & Forestry Business – Ag businesses in Hanover County and Richmond Region

This event celebrates innovation, supports small business growth, and fosters community-driven economic development.  Read more about past Center Street Competitions here.  For more information on sponsorship, contact Bobbie Carey at bobbie@dominnovation.com.

Why Sponsor?

  • Visibility & Reach:
    Gain exposure across Hanover County, the Town of Ashland, and the greater Richmond Region through coordinated marketing, social media campaigns, press outreach, and on-stage recognition. Your brand will be front and center with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, regional stakeholders, and potential customers.  See the impressive past marketing stats from 2024 & 2025.
  • Meaningful Community Impact:
    Demonstrate your commitment to strengthening the local economy by investing directly in small businesses, innovators, and emerging founders—from high-growth technology ventures to agriculture and farm-to-table enterprises. Your support helps fuel grassroots economic development, accelerates business creation, and provides real opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and stay in our region.
  • Strategic Brand Alignment:
    Position your organization as a champion of entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth. Sponsoring Center Street aligns your brand with forward-thinking businesses, creative problem solvers, and a community dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders.

Sponsorship Options

Presenting Sponsor – $10,000

As the exclusive Presenting Sponsor, your organization will receive premier visibility and recognition throughout the event and all promotional materials.

Benefits Include:

  • Event co-branded as “Center Street Pitch Competition, Sponsored by [Your Company]”
  • Opportunity to deliver opening remarks at the event
  • Featured sponsor profile in press releases and blog posts
  • Inclusion in post-event recap
  • Prominent logo placement on:
    • Presentation deck, reception slide show and event program
    • Social media campaigns and email newsletters
    • Event website with top-tier placement

Category Sponsor – $5,000 (2 remaining)

Align your brand with one of the competition’s key categories:

Center of the Universe

This category highlights and supports the entrepreneurs who call the Town of Ashland—“the Center of the Universe”—home. The Center of the Universe Category celebrates business owners across all industries who contribute to the town’s growth, resilience, and distinctive community character. Sponsorship in this category demonstrates a commitment to advancing local economic development and supporting the next wave of Ashland-based business success.

  • Recognition as the exclusive sponsor of your chosen category (e.g., “Center of the Universe Award – Sponsored by [Your Company]”)
  • Opportunity to present the award to the winner of your category
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Category-specific materials, reception slide show, category specific slide in presentation deck and event program
    • Category specific slide in presentation deck and event program

Hanover County

This category highlights and supports the entrepreneurs who call Hanover County home. The Hanover County Category celebrates business owners across all industries who are driving growth, strengthening the local economy, and contributing to the county’s long-term prosperity. Sponsorship in this category demonstrates a commitment to advancing county-wide economic development and investing in the continued success of Hanover-based businesses across urban, rural, and agricultural communities.

  • Recognition as the exclusive sponsor of your chosen category (e.g., “Hanover County – Sponsored by [Your Company]”)
  • Opportunity to present the award to the winner of your category
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Category-specific materials, reception slide show, category specific slide in presentation deck and event program
    • Marketing emails, website, and social media related to your category

Agriculture & Forestry 

Sponsored by Colonial Farm Credit

Agriculture is at the heart of Hanover County and Central Virginia’s economy, culture, and community identity.  The Agriculture Category celebrates and elevates the founders, producers, and ag-based entrepreneurs who keep this vital industry strong. Sponsorship in this category demonstrates your support for the businesses that shape Hanover’s landscape, drive regional economic resilience, and contribute to the vibrant farm-to-table ecosystem that defines Central Virginia.

  • Recognition as the exclusive sponsor of your chosen category (e.g., “Agriculture & Forestry – Sponsored by [Your Company]”)
  • Opportunity to present the award to the winner of the Ag category
  • Logo inclusion on:
    • Category-specific materials, reception slide show, category specific slide in presentation deck and event program
    • Marketing emails, website, and social media related to your category 
    • Named as a sponsor of Ag-X event for Spring 2026

Community Supporter – $1000

(Unlimited)

Ideal for local businesses and organizations that want to support entrepreneurship in the community.

Benefits Include:

  • Logo placement on website on both DAA and DEIC pages
  • Social media acknowledgment before and after the event

In-Kind Sponsorships & Add-Ons

(Unlimited)

If you’d like to support the event in a way that doesn’t quite fit the categories above, please reach out to DEIC or DAA to explore options. Here are a few ideas to get you started, and we’re always open to creative sponsorship approaches.

  • In-Kind Contributions: Provide goods or services such as venue, catering, printing, AV equipment, or photography.
  • Prize Sponsors: Contribute additional prizes or services for winners.

Would you like to sponsor or learn more? Contact us below!

2025 Marketing Stats provided by Downtown Ashland Association

Press + Editorial Content

  • 10 articles published on Downtown Ashland Association’s website, in Neighbors of Ashland Magazine, and the Mechanicsville-Ashland Local of Richmond Times-Dispatch

Digital Presence

  • Dedicated webpage on Downtown Ashland Association’s site with 1,362 page views

Media + Outreach

  • Appeared on TV and radio

  • Recorded a radio promo for K101 POP

 Media Impressions

  • Newsletter shared with 9,682 subscribers

  • 1.5M earned media impressions across TV, print, and radio 

  • 3,647 LinkedIn impressions

  • 59,836 Instagram impressions

  • 471,186 Facebook impressions 

2024 Marketing Stats provided by Downtown Ashland Association

Press + Editorial Content

  • 3 press releases
  • 5 additional articles

Digital Presence

  • Dedicated webpage on Downtown Ashland Association’s site with 2,478 page views

Media + Outreach

  • Appeared on TV and radio
  • Recorded a radio promo for K101 POP

 Media Impressions

  • Newsletter shared with 14,921 subscribers
  • 296,004 earned media impression
  • s across TV, print, and radio 
  • 4,467 LinkedIn impressions
  • 146,121 Instagram impressions
  • 495,471 Facebook impressions