Hampton Roads, Virginia is not just a coastal gem.
It’s a pulsating hub of innovation; and at REaKTOR, we’re proud to be at the heart of this transformation. Recently, we welcomed Mallory Tuttle and Chelsea Jenkins Olivieri from Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center to our award-winning program in Hampton. Their visit is a powerful signal of the growing synergy between our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and one of Virginia’s premier research institutions.
Together, we’re forging pathways to turn bold ideas into world-changing realities, and here’s how this collaboration benefits you: the dreamers, builders, and innovators of Hampton Roads.
Our region has a storied history of resilience and reinvention, from its NASA roots to its emergence as a tech powerhouse. REaKTOR is carrying that legacy forward, fostering a vibrant community of startups tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges. During the visit, our guests met with founders whose companies are redefining industries right here in Hampton. Let us introduce you to a few of them and show you why this matters for our community:

  • Tidal Flight is developing Polaris, a hybrid-electric amphibious aircraft. With a $1.25M SBIR Direct to Phase II contract from AFWERX, they’re pioneering sustainable aviation and coastal mobility; solutions that will transform how we move goods and people in our water-bound region.

  • Hercule-Q is pioneering a state-of-the-art wireless charging platform engineered for light electric vehicles such as E-bikes and E-scooters.

  • MechaStructure is building a modular, reconfigurable robotics platform for industrial construction use, offering scalable automation solutions that merge mechanical design and intelligent control systems.

  • VroomBrick, founded by former Naval Officer Leland Remias, is reinventing real estate transactions through a digital platform that makes buying and selling homes faster, fairer, and more transparent.

  • Psionic, an established leader in precision sensing and navigation, develops coherent Doppler LiDAR systems used for applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to lunar landing systems. The company recently earned honors as Emerging Company of the Year at 757 TechNite.

  • Pancopia is tackling global water challenges with closed-loop water recycling systems originally designed for NASA; technologies now being adapted for agriculture, defense, and humanitarian applications.

  • Good Steward is developing Colab.Set.Go, a web application designed to simplify the complex documentation and coordination process for individuals with disabilities, particularly in workforce development and employment support.
These companies aren’t just building products; they’re building Hampton Roads’ future.
At REaKTOR, we provide the tools to make it happen: free advisory support for grants, business plans, and legal needs; connections to over 250 expert researchers; and access to centralized office and lab spaces. Our collaboration with Virginia Tech amplifies this mission, linking academic research with real-world applications.
Whether you’re a pre-series A startup or an entrepreneur with a game-changing idea, REaKTOR is here to help you validate, fund, and scale your vision.
Hampton Roads is becoming a launchpad for deep tech innovation, and REaKTOR is your gateway. Our collaboration with Virginia Tech and institutions like the National Institute of Aerospace is creating a network that connects you to funding, expertise, and partners across the Commonwealth.
Together, we’re building a legacy of innovation that will elevate our communities for generations.