NSDPI Joins EVOLVE Conference for Route 29 Innovation Corridor Talk

There is a burgeoning innovation corridor developing on Route 29 North, bolstered by the emergence of major municipal projects like Rivanna Futures and the North Fork Discovery Park, UVA’s flagship Manning Institute for Biotechnology, and statewide efforts to foster a new Biotech Accelerator. This tremendous growth has attracted a unique blend of organizations and experts to the Charlottesville area, prompting a key question: How can cross-sector collaborations position our region as a premier destination for innovation?

As part of the 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival, a group of key leaders in Albemarle County will gather on April 17th at the CODE Building for a discussion on this topic, sharing strategies for cultivating an innovation ecosystem that fuels both startups and established industries. Part of the Technology Track of the Tom Tom Festival’s EVOLVE Conference, this session will look to the future, asking what coordination will be necessary to align strategies and vision in this thriving quarter of Virginia.

Speakers

About the 13th Annual Tom Tom Festival 

Tom Tom, aka “Tomorrow Tomorrow,” is a nonprofit music, art, and ideas festival that annually gathers 25,000+ people to explore the future of the community. Tom Tom reaches across all neighborhoods, socio-economic divides, sectors, and industries to ask the question: What happens if we all gather together to envision the future? It’s a bold and innovative opportunity to collectively explore themes of technology, spirituality, criminal justice, education, housing, wellness, and entrepreneurship. The end goal: bring together engaged citizens to bridge divides, create solutions, and build a brighter tomorrow. The festival’s 2025 theme, EVOLVE, explores how we — as individuals, communities, organizations, and societies — adapt to change and grow into something new. Harnessing hope, creativity, and determination, we turn challenging circumstances into strength and resilience.

About the EVOLVE Conference

The EVOLVE Conference is where innovation meets purpose. This gathering brings together citizen leaders, visionaries, and changemakers to explore the intersections of technology, business, society, and wellness that are shaping the future of community. You'll dive into cutting-edge advancements, transformative business strategies, and the latest societal trends, all while engaging in deep conversations about meaning and purpose. More than a conference, it's a call to evolve the way we think, live, and lead.