Joe Benevento appointed as President and CEO of VIPC

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC) has announced the appointment of Joe Benevento as its new president and CEO. Benevento, who has been serving as the interim president and CEO since September, brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Prior to his current position, Benevento served as the deputy secretary of commerce and trade for Virginia, where he played a key role in developing the state’s “Compete to Win” and “Innovative Framework” strategies. With a background in business strategy and investment management, Benevento has worked with a variety of companies, from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies.

During his career, Benevento has advised on over $10 billion in enterprise value and has been involved in raising investment funds ranging from $250 million to $20 billion. He holds a bachelor’s degree in applied economics and management from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The decision to appoint Benevento as president and CEO came after a nationwide search process. According to VIPC Board Governance and Search Committee Chair Richard Hall, Benevento’s leadership experience in both the private and public sectors made him the ideal candidate for the role.

VIPC operates as a nonprofit corporation on behalf of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority, leading innovation in the state through research, commercialization, and technology development. As the new president and CEO, Benevento will play a crucial role in driving transformational growth and collaboration among stakeholders in Virginia’s innovation ecosystem.