For the last 16 years, the CBIC Tech Tour has provided an opportunity for middle and high school students in the Charlottesville area to learn about innovation and careers in dynamic high tech companies. The Tour is designed to help students envision themselves as technology employees, professionals, and entrepreneurs bringing the next wave of tech innovation to our area.

The 2019 Tech Tour drew students from two dozen schools visiting over 50 companies offering hands-on “tours” of their operations and the opportunity to experience their technology.

For 2021, the CBIC Tech Tour is going virtual! 

Since having to cancel our 2020 event, our volunteer organizers have been in communication with teachers to determine how CBIC can continue to be of service. We have learned that there is great interest in a virtual CBIC Tech Tour connecting companies with classrooms for career exploration.

Based on this feedback, we are excited to announce that CBIC will be hosting a 2021 Virtual CBIC Tech Tour the week of May 10th

 Here is how the Virtual Tech Tour will work:

• Through April 16th, tech companies can sign up to host 60-minute virtual “tech tours” to engage students during the week of May 10th. Tours will take place 9am - 5pm Monday, May 10th, through Friday, May 14th.
  
  
• Teachers will then have the opportunity to register their classrooms to participate in the 2021 CBIC Tech Tour, selecting from the list of tour experiences being offered by participating companies.
  
  
• CBIC will match the companies and the classrooms based on teacher preferences and arrange for the virtual tours to take place.

Even though this is an unorthodox approach to what is typically a high-energy, in-person event , we feel very confident that the ingenious and dedicated technology professionals and teachers of our area will carry the day, creating valuable and memorable experiences for students and helping to inspire the next generation of technology professionals.

 If you have any questions about the 2021 CBIC Virtual Tech Tour, please reach out to Tech Tour Chair Lily Garcia Walton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Why the Tech Tour Matters

This technology tour exposes students to the challenging and diverse career possibilities offered by our regional technology community. The tour is designed to help them envision themselves as technology employees, professionals and entrepreneurs in the next wave of tech advancements in our area.

"Participating in the CBIC Tech Tour has been one of the most eye-opening experiences I have had in high school. Charlottesville appears to be a small city, but it is full of businesses using and developing new forms of technology.

Taking part in the CBIC Tech Tour has given me the opportunity to witness the future of technology and business in my local community, a future that I will soon become a part of.” - Tech Tour student

We have an outstanding group of sponsors every year, representing organizations that understand the importance of STEM education to building the technology workforce.  A complete list of participating companies can be found on our interactive Tech Tour Map:

If you would like to get involved with the 2021 Tech Tour or need more information about this event, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• STEM

Every year, through the generosity of sponsors, CBIC awards two scholarships in the amount of $2500 each to students selected through the application process. Applications are open to junior and senior students that plan to pursue education beyond high school in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and have attended at least one tech tour.

Submission Deadline is June 31, 2021.