One of the biggest regional events of 2026 took place last week and the house was packed! The inaugural State of Innovation Address, presented by Innovate Hampton Roads, provided a snapshot of the great innovations being birthed right here in the 757, from Deep Space to Deep Sea. Leaders across sectors and industries gave overviews of innovations in the core areas of space, defense, energy, and maritime – but also in areas like education, community health, and wastewater treatment operations.
The event brought together business leaders, entrepreneurial champions, and innovators – including representation from several companies in REaKTOR’s current portfolio:
MechaStructure: MechaStructure is building a modular, reconfigurable robotics platform for in-space assembly of large structures, offering scalable automation solutions that merge mechanical design and intelligent control systems.
Loyalty Technologies: Loyalty Technologies explores advanced materials and carbon-based technologies, bridging interdisciplinary research and real-world application to develop scalable solutions that address today’s energy, environmental, and sustainability challenges.
VIAT Services: VIAT Services is developing an immersive VR-based, neuroscience and psychology-grounded assessment platform that provides the first reliable measure of spatial orientation ability for individuals in high-risk domains such as pilots, astronauts, and unmanned vehicle operators.
StewTech: StewTech has developed an all-terrain tactical, NASA-tech powered electric vehicle engineered for mission-critical mobility for military and law enforcement operations in any environment.
US Mission Labs: US Mission Labs helps federal and defense agencies navigate complex modernization in the face of emerging technological shifts— including AI — by providing risk-aware consulting and reseller support that keeps critical missions on track.
HerculE-Q: HerculE-Q is deploying a NASA-patented wireless charging platform for micromobility vehicles (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.), enabling high-efficiency energy transfer without physical connectors to make electric mobility more accessible, convenient and sustainable.
Advanced Aircraft Company: Advanced Aircraft Company builds hybrid-electric, vertical-takeoff unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that deliver long-endurance flight with portability and modular payload capacity- enabling commercial, maritime, and defense clients to dramatically increase mission reach and operator productivity.
Psionic: Psionic has turned decades of NASA R&D into the development of cutting-edge, advanced navigation systems for GPS-denied and contested environments- enabling precise positioning, navigation, and timing for land, air, and space applications.
VroomBrick: VroomBrick is a veteran-led real estate technology platform that empowers home buyers and sellers with intuitive tools and step-by-step guidance to navigate transactions independently, saving thousands on fees while prioritizing affordability, transparency, and integrity.
Pancopia: Pancopia is an innovative ag-tech company dedicated to transforming agricultural wastewater into valuable resources, with a primary focus on swine and fish farms through advanced nitrogen management and water purification technologies.
This wonderfully eventful day also featured some major announcements, including the release of the first 20 companies to have made the IHR200– a list highlighting independent, high-potential companies driving growth, innovation, and impact across industries. Two REaKTOR companies, Tidal Flight and Psionic, were among the first who were recognized.
The builders of the future are right here! Continue to be on the lookout for the great work coming out of this community, and specifically out of REaKTOR. To learn more about these companies, visit our newly launched portfolio webpage here.
And stay tuned for more events coming this fall showcasing what is being built in Hampton Roads: Startup World Cup and 757 TechNite.
