No. 35

Richmond, VA

In a state where the main private-sector industry for 400 years has been agriculture, it’s no surprise Richmond has its share of food-centric startups. Standouts include insulatedpackaging manufacturer TemperPack, which scored $4.5 million from Closed Loop Fund in July, and plant-protein product specialist Nutriati. Beyond that, the city’s entrepreneurs resist classification. Lighthouse Labs, led by Todd Nuckols, has nurtured companies that offer Lyft-like service for non-emergency medical transport (RoundTrip) and provide support to parents of autistic children (AnswersNow). Controversial pharma startup Kaléo is a local hero: This spring it began offering an opioidoverdose antidote for free to eligible patients in some states. Countering a shortage of earlystage capital are $4 million fund Trolley Ventures, founded in September, and VC firm NRV, which last year launched a $33 million early-stage growth fund.