Powering Main Street: Retail Catalyst Program Launches in Hampton Roads

by Christian Harris

Retail Alliance, in partnership with ABNB Federal Credit Union, has unveiled the Retail Catalyst—a powerful pilot initiative designed to support small retail businesses in Hampton Roads. Announced on July 7, 2025, the program offers education, community crowdfunding, access to capital, and ongoing technical assistance for startups and established retailers in select local districts.

What the Program Offers

Education: Participants complete the Retail Alliance Certificate in Retail Operations (CROps) or receive expert-guided growth strategy support, depending on their stage of business.
Community Crowdfunding: Businesses launch a 30-day NuMarket campaign, allowing them to validate concepts and build local investment and interest.
Access to Capital: ABNB FCU provides loan funding—up to $35,000 per business—from a $500,000 loan pool dedicated to the pilot program.
Post-Launch Support: Continuous mentorship and technical aid from Retail Alliance and the Hampton Roads SBDC help ensure businesses stay on track beyond the launch phase.

Who Can Apply?

Retail Catalyst is open to brick-and-mortar retailers or direct-to-consumer brands planning a physical storefront. It welcomes startups, home-based entrepreneurs transitioning to retail, and established stores pursuing expansion or new locations. Ideal applicants are those with a clear business concept, readiness to engage with their local community, and credit preparedness.

The program is available in four Hampton Roads communities:

Portsmouth (High Street)
Newport News (Hilton Village Main Street)
Hampton (Settlers Landing/Bridge Street)
Norfolk (Granby Street)

Why It Matters

Independent retail businesses often face barriers when seeking credit, commercial space, or community visibility. Retail Catalyst removes many of these hurdles by combining education, proof-of-concept validation, funding access, and expert guidance. As Retail Alliance president Jenny Crittenden emphasizes, “small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities” — this program responds directly to their needs and aims to boost local economies through scalable retail growth Innovate Hampton Roads.

Timeline

Application window: July 7 – August 10, 2025
Education/Growth Planning: Late September 2025
Crowdfunding Launch: January 2026
Loan Processing: February 2026
Target Business Openings: Through June 202

Final Thoughts

The Retail Catalyst program stands out as a thoughtful, integrated support system for emerging and growing retailers in Hampton Roads. Whether you're an entrepreneur dreaming of a storefront or a long-standing business ready to scale, this pilot could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Apply online at Retail Alliance or contact the program team to learn more.