Hampton Roads' Startup Architects: How 757 Angels Built a Decade of Innovation

NORFOLK, VA – December 18, 2025 – A decade ago, the idea of a thriving, venture-backed startup ecosystem in Hampton Roads was more of an ambition than a reality. The landscape for early-stage capital was, in the words of one of its chief architects, “fragmented and underdeveloped.” Today, that landscape is fundamentally transformed. 757 Angels, the region's leading angel investment network, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, marking a milestone built on more than $130 million in deployed capital, successful company exits, and the deliberate construction of a robust entrepreneurial infrastructure.

Founded in 2015 with a mission to professionalize local investing, the network has become one of the most active and influential angel groups in Virginia. Its anniversary is not merely a look back at past achievements but a pivot toward an even more ambitious future, set to be unveiled at a signature celebration on January 21, 2026. This event will honor the network's legacy while launching an enhanced strategy for its next decade of impact.

"Ten plus years ago, angel investing in Hampton Roads was fragmented and underdeveloped," said Paul Nolde, Executive Director of 757 Angels. "757 Angels helped professionalize early-stage capital here and prove that scalable companies can be built—and exited—from this region. This anniversary is both a celebration of that progress and a signal that we're doubling down on what comes next."

From Fragmentation to a Foundational Force

Before 757 Angels, local entrepreneurs with high-growth potential often had to look outside the region for the capital and expertise needed to scale. The local investment scene lacked a central, organized body to vet deals, pool resources, and provide the hands-on mentorship that is critical for early-stage companies. 757 Angels was created to fill that void.

By establishing a membership-based network of accredited investors, the organization introduced a disciplined process for identifying, evaluating, and funding promising startups. This structure brought a new level of rigor to local investing, building confidence among its members and attracting a higher caliber of entrepreneurs. Over the years, the group's reputation for meticulous due diligence and active post-investment support has become a hallmark, making it a magnet for both capital and talent.

This foundational work has paid dividends. The network’s portfolio reflects a strategic alignment with Hampton Roads' core economic strengths, with investments spanning defense technology, maritime innovation, healthcare, and sustainable energy. This focus not only leverages regional expertise but also ensures that the startups it funds are positioned to have a direct and lasting impact on the local economy. As of late 2022, the group had already surpassed $100 million invested in nearly 50 companies, a figure that has since grown to over $130 million.

"757 Angels has played a foundational role in our region's growth," noted Jennifer Vaziralli, Chair of the 757 Angels Board of Directors. "This milestone reflects the commitment of our members and the ambition of the founders we've backed over the past ten years."

Building the Engine: More Than Just Capital

Perhaps the most significant contribution of 757 Angels has been its role as an ecosystem architect. The group's leadership recognized early on that capital alone was not enough. To create a sustainable environment for innovation, Hampton Roads needed a full suite of support services for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

This foresight led 757 Angels to become a catalyst for 757 Accelerate, the region's first formal accelerator program. That initiative has since evolved into 757 Collab, a comprehensive venture development hub that now stands at the center of the region's startup ecosystem. Headquartered at the Assembly innovation campus in downtown Norfolk, 757 Collab provides a seamless pipeline of support, from ideation to investment.

Today, 757 Collab's family of programs includes:
* 757 Startup Studios: An incubation program serving as the “front door” for aspiring founders, providing rent-free office space, mentorship, and workshops. Since 2021, it has supported over 180 startups that have collectively raised over $30 million.
* 757 Accelerate: A program focused on helping more mature startups secure customers and prepare for significant capital raises.
* 757 Angels: The investment arm that connects vetted, high-potential companies with growth capital from its member network.

This integrated model ensures that entrepreneurs have access to the right resources at the right time. A recent example, Crunchy Hydration, became the first company to successfully navigate the entire 757 Collab pipeline, progressing from incubation at Startup Studios to receiving funding from 757 Angels. Furthering its strategic alignment, 757 Collab recently launched the Defense Technology Accelerator (DTA) in partnership with the NavalX Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, a program designed specifically to help startups navigate the complex Department of Defense marketplace—a natural fit for the region.

A Track Record of Returns and a Vision for the Future

The ultimate test of an investment network is its ability to generate returns, and 757 Angels has proven its model works. The successful acquisition of portfolio company Modio Health, a physician management platform, by CHG Group provided an attractive return to its investors and served as a powerful proof point: world-class, scalable companies can indeed be built and successfully exited from Hampton Roads. This success, along with a portfolio that includes promising companies like Psionic, Ario, ivWatch, and ChowCall, has solidified the region's credibility in the national venture landscape.

The network’s success has not gone unnoticed. It has been recognized as a Top 10 Angel Network by the Angel Capital Association and, in 2023, announced a strategic partnership with VentureSouth, one of the largest angel investment groups in the United States. This collaboration expands the pool of capital available to local founders and gives 757 Angels' members access to a broader, more diverse set of deal flow from across the Southeast.

As 757 Angels prepares to celebrate its first decade, its focus is firmly on the next. The upcoming January event will unveil an “enhanced value proposition” designed to deepen investor engagement, ensure a continuous pipeline of high-quality deals, and expand its already robust founder support systems. For the entrepreneurs and investors of Hampton Roads, the message is clear: the foundation has been laid, the engine is running, and the next ten years are about hitting the accelerator.