The Virginia Department of Business Assistance, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1996, provides a one-stop-service for technical assistance related to business formation, access to capital, and workforce development. VDBA works with existing businesses as they grow their workforce and mentors entrepreneurs from ideas to launching their first business venture. To accomplish the objectives set forth in Governor McDonnell's Economic Development and Jobs Creation agenda, VDBA has facilitated $1.3 billion in financing for Virginia businesses, provided technical assistance to over 36,000 businesses and will host over 80 Entrepreneurial Workshops statewide this year.