Henrico County welcomed the inaugural cohort of companies participating in the county’s Global Business Gateway program Wednesday in a kick-off ceremony at the Gather coworking space at West Broad Village.
Henrico’s Economic Development Authority designed the program to strengthen economic growth and increase the county’s reputation as a global business hub by attracting international companies looking to expand to the US. The county is home to over 70 international firms, with three more joining the ranks as part of the GBG cohort.
The GBG is part of the Henrico Tomorrow campaign — a multi-stage effort to reimagine the county’s underused commercial spaces as centers for innovation and economic development.
“While there are other international incubators around, we're walking the extra mile with our businesses,” EDA Director Anthony Romanello said in his remarks Wednesday. “I would say no matter your native tongue, today we tell the world that Henrico translates to one word in every language — and that word is welcome.”
Participating companies gain access to EDA’s Research to Accelerate Market Potential program, which assembles market reports and helps companies navigate US business practices.
Romanello said the combination of services will incentivize companies to continue investing in Henrico, growing the county's international business ecosystem.
“We believe continuing to grow our international base is all part of diversifying and strengthening our economy,” Romanello said. “Services here include connecting to partners, providing talent solutions, legal, immigration, marketing, accounting real estate and tailored relocation assistance for company leadership, their staff and their families.”
The GBG program is designed to support up to nine international companies, with services tailored to each company’s needs. The three companies in the initial cohort are:
- Rego Inc., a digital ID and verification services provider from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Saarathi Engtech, a manufacturer of aircraft hangar doors, gearboxes and screw jacks from Mumbai, India
- Inpronic USA, a custom control panel device manufacturer from Latacunga, Ecuador
Yogo Dubois, Rego Inc.’s founder and CEO, said Wednesday that having dedicated office space and access to the GBG’s comprehensive business support services will be critical to the success of the company’s launch in America.
“What is built in Virginia helps to build dignity, prosperity and digital freedom in Africa,” Dubois said. “This is not charity. It is a shared value. To all the entrepreneurs around the world wondering where to start: Start here. Start with Henrico.”
