Founding Partners

A Once-in-Generations Opportunity

The East Riverfront Innovation Coalition (ERIC), convened by Character Developer (a Modern Ancients technology), is uniting Richmond’s civic, business, cultural, and community stakeholders to shape a district-scale innovation hub at the Port by Rocketts Landing.

Founding Partners are more than contributors — they are co-architects of Richmond’s future, securing early influence, visibility, and alignment in a coalition model designed to create lasting prosperity, equity, and resilience.

Why Become a Founding Partner?

Influence: Play a direct role in shaping ERIC’s / Character Developer’s strategy, activation roadmap, and coalition governance.

Visibility: Recognition as a founding voice across Character Developer’s digital platforms, public dashboards, and coalition briefings for ERIC.

Access: Priority access to investment opportunities, pilot programs, and technology-enabled insights via Character Developer.

Legacy: Ensure your organization is credited as a leader in transforming Richmond’s East Riverfront into a national model for innovation districts.

Your Role in Richmond’s Future

Founding Partners stand at the intersection of capital, culture, and civic innovation… fueling a vision that:

Expands beyond a single building (ITB) into a holistic East Riverfront Innovation District.

Unlocks greater economic value for Richmond with $190M+ district valuation potential.

Embeds regenerative capital, ensuring 70%+ of dollars stay local through jobs, vendors, and reinvestment funds.

Demonstrates civic leadership, aligning Richmond with nationally replicable models for inclusive, district-scale transformation.

Ways to Partner

Endorse the Coalition

Add your voice to the growing network calling for a district-scale vision.

Select Your Partnership Tier Below

Choose the level that aligns with your organization’s goals.

Become a Founding Partner

Secure recognition, influence, and a legacy role in shaping Richmond’s innovation future.

Innovation Catalysts

(Contributions of $250,000+)


Ideal for philanthropies, institutional investors, and anchor developers who want to play a transformative role.

  • Strategic co-branding opportunities

  • Naming rights for flagship initiatives

  • First access to investment opportunities

  • Influence in shaping ERIC’s long-term vision

Become an Innovation Catalyst

Project Champions

(Contributions of $25,000 – $100,000)


Best suited for mid-market businesses, local universities, and emerging investors ready to align their brand with innovation and transformation.

  • Recognition on ERIC’s website and event materials

  • Invitations to ERIC stakeholder summits

  • Opportunities to showcase thought leadership through panels and features

Become a Project Champion

Community Builders

(Contributions of $100,000 – $250,000)


Designed for regional banks, A/E/C firms, and impact investors seeking visibility and influence within ERIC’s development pipeline.

  • Advisory board participation

  • Early inclusion in pilot programs

  • Preferred vendor status for ERIC-aligned projects

  • Recognition across ERIC’s digital and physical platforms

Become a Community Builder

Friends of ERIC

(Contributions under $25,000)


Open to individuals, startups, and civic contributors who want to be part of the movement and make a tangible difference.

  • Recognition on ERIC’s website

  • Access to quarterly community roundtables

  • Priority updates on ERIC’s milestones and opportunities

3% Cover the Fee

Open to individuals, startups, and civic contributors who want to be part of the movement and make a tangible difference. Recognition on ERIC’s website Access to quarterly community roundtables Priority updates on ERIC’s milestones and opportunities

Investment Disclaimer

Investments made through the East Riverfront Innovation Coalition (“ERIC”) are contributions toward advancing the shared district-scale vision, powered by our Character Developer technology platform. These funds are not direct investments in individual parcels or guaranteed returns.

Instead, they enable us to:

  • Develop and deploy Character Developer’s civic intelligence tools to model ROI scenarios, optimize incentive layering, and coordinate stakeholders.

  • Accelerate strategic planning, zoning analysis, coalition-building, and technology-enabled engagement.

  • Move ERIC forward in alignment with the innovation, sustainability, and economic competitiveness goals outlined in our roadmap.

All contributions will be allocated exclusively to activities, resources, and technology that advance ERIC’s mission and create measurable ecosystem-wide impact.

Why Sponsor

Shape the future of the East Riverfront and accelerate the vision for Richmond’s growing innovation economy.

Gain early visibility into development opportunities, pilot programs, and partnership pipelines.

Be part of a nationally replicable model for district-scale transformation.

Drive measurable community impact through job creation, economic activity, and equitable placemaking.

Return to the East Riverfront Innovation Coalition

Join the coalition shaping the future of Richmond’s riverfront.