Baton Institute for Innovation Entrepreneurs and Technology at the Darden School

The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. It features a unique educational philosophy that emphasizes the freedom of thought and separates higher education from religious influence. The university's campus spans 1,135 acres and includes eight undergraduate schools and three professional schools: the School of Law, the Darden School of Business, and the School of Medicine.

UVA is recognized for its commitment to research and innovation, being a member of the Association of American Universities since 1904. The university has a distinguished community of alumni and faculty, including Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners. Its athletic teams, known as the Cavaliers, compete in NCAA Division I within the Atlantic Coast Conference. UVA also honors its complex history with initiatives like the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, dedicated to recognizing the contributions of enslaved individuals in its early years.