VIRGINIA SMART MANUFACTURING ACCELERATOR
Expert support. Federal backing. Zero cost. VSMA helps Virginia manufacturers adopt smart technology with clarity and low risk.
Modernize without gambling on your operation
Most small and medium-sized manufacturers already know they need to modernize. What stops them isn’t interest, it’s the cost of getting it wrong.
VSMA was built to fix that. A federally-funded, statewide smart manufacturing program and one of only 12 selected by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Delivered through GENEDGE’s manufacturing specialists and a network of Virginia’s leading engineering universities, VSMA gives manufacturers diagnostic assessments, hands-on technology experience, expert guidance, and a clear, customized roadmap. Every program is free to Virginia manufacturers.
VSMA is operated by GENEDGE, Virginia’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, from the New College Institute campus in Martinsville.
Smart manufacturing we help you adopt
- AI / Machine Learning
- Robotics & Automation
- Additive Manufacturing
- Digital Twins
- Big Data & Cloud
- CNC Machining
- AR / VR
A clear path, start to funded
Experience
See the technology running live at roadshows and university labs, and get hands-on with what fits your line.
Assess
A free, on-site diagnostic of your operation focusing on digital maturity, cybersecurity, energy, workforce, and process.
Roadmap
You receive a prioritized, customized plan built around your facility — vendor-neutral and independent.
Fund
We identify grants and funding opportunities so you can execute the roadmap with lower risk.
Programs Overview
Smart Manufacturing Roadshows
Free, full-day events at locations across Virginia. See smart manufacturing technology running live, hear from Virginia's top engineering universities, and walk away with clear next steps.
Manufacturing Performance Diagnostics™
A free, on-site evaluation by manufacturing experts at your facility. Covers digital maturity, cybersecurity, energy systems, workforce capability, and process improvement. We provide a prioritized roadmap and identified funding opportunities.
Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program
An apprenticeship pathway built around the real skill gaps Virginia manufacturers are reporting. Our goal is for your current workforce to grow into new roles without starting from scratch.
Delivered through Virginia’s leading research universities
4 UNIVERSITY PARTNERS · 1 PROGRAM OPERATOR
The assessment gave us a plan we could actually act on — and surfaced funding we didn’t know we qualified for.
SMART MANUFACTURING COMES TO YOU
Each roadshow event offers a free, full-day stop in your region.
Learn More About the Roadshow
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September 2026 9/29/26
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October 2026 10/13/2026
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November 2026 EXACT DATE TBD
See what smart manufacturing looks like at your facility
VSMA offers free assessments, free Roadshow events, and a clear path to adoption, backed by federal investment and delivered by Virginia's top engineering professionals and universities.
Questions, answered
What does it cost?
Nothing. VSMA programs — assessments, roadshows, and roadmaps — are free to Virginia manufacturers, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Who is eligible?
Small and mid-sized manufacturers operating in Virginia. If you are unsure whether you qualify, request an assessment and we will confirm.
How long does an assessment take?
Most on-site diagnostics take a single day, and you receive your prioritized roadmap with a report afterwards.
Do you sell technology?
No. VSMA is vendor-neutral and independent — we help you decide what fits your operation, not what a supplier wants to sell you.