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Find public support
The organizations that help companies export from and invest in Virginia, grouped by what you need. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
1. Where to start
VEDP, SCC and Virginia SBDC International: the guide’s first stops, of the 12 organizations below.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- Get advice
State economic development authority
VEDP
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Runs the state's international trade programs for Virginia companies that sell abroad and works to attract business investment to Virginia.
Visit VEDP (opens in a new tab)Source: VEDP, strategic plan progress update, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2025
- Meet requirements
Business entity filings regulator
SCC
State Corporation Commission
Its Clerk's Office issues the certificate of authority a foreign corporation needs, and the Commission also collects the new data center electricity tax.
Visit SCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
- Get advice
Small business export advising
Virginia SBDC International
Virginia SBDC - International Small Business Development
Gives small and mid-sized Virginia businesses export-readiness advising and help with customs, logistics and regulations through the George Mason University network.
Visit Virginia SBDC International (opens in a new tab)Source: George Mason University, Mason Enterprise advising page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
2. Export development and market information
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State economic development authority
VEDP
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Runs the state's international trade programs for Virginia companies that sell abroad and works to attract business investment to Virginia.
Visit VEDP (opens in a new tab)Source: VEDP, strategic plan progress update, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2025
- Get advice
Small business export advising
Virginia SBDC International
Virginia SBDC - International Small Business Development
Gives small and mid-sized Virginia businesses export-readiness advising and help with customs, logistics and regulations through the George Mason University network.
Visit Virginia SBDC International (opens in a new tab)Source: George Mason University, Mason Enterprise advising page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
3. Investment and business setup
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
Business entity filings regulator
SCC
State Corporation Commission
Its Clerk's Office issues the certificate of authority a foreign corporation needs, and the Commission also collects the new data center electricity tax.
Visit SCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
- Get advice
Small business and financing agency
SBSD
Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
Certifies small and minority-owned businesses, runs the Business One-Stop Program and supports the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority's loan insurance.
Visit SBSD (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
- Get advice
County economic development authority
Fairfax EDA
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Promotes Fairfax County to expanding companies and reports company expansions and events in the county.
Visit Fairfax EDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Fairfax County EDA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
4. Customs and tax
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Virginia Tax
Virginia Department of Taxation
Registers new businesses for state tax accounts online and administers the corporation income tax.
Visit Virginia Tax (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia Tax, Register a Business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
State unemployment insurance agency
VEC
Virginia Employment Commission
Administers unemployment insurance for employers and is to start the state's new paid family and medical leave program.
Visit VEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
State port authority
VPA
Virginia Port Authority
Runs the Port of Virginia's marine terminals and its economic development grant programs for port-related companies.
Visit VPA (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Virginia, deepest harbor release, June 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 18, 2026
5. Standards and sector requirements
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
VDACS
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Helps Virginia food, farm and forest businesses export through international marketing and plant export certification, and reports on foreign ownership of farmland.
Visit VDACS (opens in a new tab)Source: VDACS, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Manufacturing extension center
GENEDGE
GENEDGE Alliance
Works with Virginia manufacturers on quality systems, medical device accreditation readiness and supply chains as the state's manufacturing extension center.
Visit GENEDGE (opens in a new tab)Source: GENEDGE, 2025 annual report (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
Professional licensing regulator
DPOR
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Licenses, certifies and registers professions and occupations in Virginia through its regulatory boards.
Visit DPOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
6. Chambers and industry associations
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Virginia Chamber
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for Virginia businesses on state policy and runs industry councils and a Small Business Alliance.
Visit Virginia Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Virginia project.
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Promote:Virginia is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.