14 Virginia companies graduate from 2-year trade accelerator program

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Fourteen Virginia companies are expanding their global markets this year by completing the Commonwealth's two-year trade accelerator program, including two companies in Central Virginia.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced on Friday, Jan. 30, that 14 companies across the Commonwealth graduated from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The governor's office also said that 12 more companies have joined the two-year program.

“On Day One as Governor, I directed multiple state agencies to help increase export opportunities across the Commonwealth as Virginia businesses continue to feel the impacts of the federal administration’s tariff policies. International trade has always been a key driver of Virginia’s economic growth, and expanding trade opportunities for the Commonwealth is critical for maintaining resiliency,” Spanberger said. “I’m proud to support the VALET program, which helps businesses of all sizes strengthen their international sales while reinforcing our long-term commitment to growing Virginia’s presence in global markets. Congratulations to this class of VALET graduates!”

According to a release from the governor's office, VALET is a two-year international business acceleration program giving participating companies with "international sales plan development services, assistance from a team of experienced international service providers, international business meetings with potential partners, educational events, and customized market research."

Of the 14 companies, two are located in Central Virginia: BluePrint Automation in Chesterfield County and Afton Scientific, LLC in Albemarle County.

The remaining graduating companies are: 

• Aery Aviation, LLC (City of Newport News) 
• Afton Scientific, LLC (Albemarle County) 
• AQ Transformer Solutions Inc. (Wythe County) 
• BluePrint Automation (Chesterfield County) 
• Damon Company (City of Salem) 
• DataXstream, LLC (James City County) 
• DZYNE Technologies (Fairfax County) 
• Fabritek Company, Inc. (City of Winchester) 
• Learning Tree International (Fairfax County) 
• Parsons Government Services (Fairfax County) 
• Regulus Global (City of Virginia Beach) 
• Universal Fibers (Washington County) 
• Vibrent Health (Fairfax County) 
• Yupo Corporation (City of Chesapeake) 

The governor's office said 56 companies are participating in the VALET program, including the 12 companies that joined this year. This includes Amadas Industries, Inc. in the City of Suffolk, American Wood Fibers in Smyth County and BowerGroupAsia in the City of Fairfax.

Virginia exports $75 billion in goods and services annually, per a release from the governor's office, with VEDP International Trade supporting 500 companies' international business development efforts in the Commonwealth yearly.

For more information about the program, click here.