What can you actually build with AI right now? How do you position yourself in AI searches?
One Richmond founder is answering that 52 times this year — one production app a week, in public. 🤖
Our Fall 2026 Robins Entrepreneur Series continues with a conversation on the hottest topic in business. AI, and what it really means for how we build, and this time we’re making it a two-part day.👉
Will Melton of founder amp; CEO of Xponent21, joins us Friday, October 23rd at the University of Richmond - Robins School of Business.
Will doesn't just talk about AI, he runs four companies through the same transition he speaks about. Plus, he brings back field reports from inside the work. He built Xponent21, a digital marketing and AI search visibility agency, helping national brands stay findable as search shifts from Google results to AI answers in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Mode. He co-founded and chairs AI Ready RVA, the region’s AI literacy nonprofit. He also founded and publishes Channel RVA, a local news venture built on an AI-native workflow he designed end to end. He teaches AI-driven brand strategy, and in 2026, he’s building 52 apps in 52 weeks that are live, recorded, one production app a week, as hands-on proof of what AI-assisted development actually makes possible. Will is a Virginia Business “100 People to Meet” and a Style Weekly “Top 40 Under 40.”
🔹 Part I - Fireside Chat with me | 11:30 AM. A conversation on the questions founders and students are asking right now, "How AI is reshaping how products actually get built" "What 'AI search visibility' means for how businesses get found" "Where the real opportunities are, and where the hype isn’t
🔹 Part II - Innovation Studio | 2:00 PM. Then we go hands-on. Join Andrew Ilnicki and Will in the Innovation Studio for a working session on building with AI yourself, from idea to something real. 🔗 Reserve your spot: https://luma.com/8lltprrv
Hear the vision in the morning, then go build in the afternoon. That’s the whole point. If you want to understand AI as a builder, not a bystander, then this is the day to be here.
The Discussion. This series of hybrid events is perfect for budding entrepreneurs, experienced executive mentors cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, early-stage investors, and students exploring innovative product design.
At each session, business founders serve as guest speakers share about their career, their firm's business model, as well as the successes and challenges in the product development process. Participants learn from the speakers’ experiences, discuss valuable insights, and connect with other entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and investors.
Logistics. A light lunch is served, as entrepreneurs connect with one another, learn from peers, and contribute to the conversation:
- Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
- 11:30am EST - Coffee & Connection
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST - Presentation & Discussion
No pre-registration is requir16d. Join us:
Robins School of Business 102 UR Drive, iLab Room 123 University of Richmond, VA 23173
Parking. Free parking is available in the U5 and U6 lots immediately adjacent to the Robins School. Please enter the main foyer, turn to the left and proceed to room 123 (EY Innovation Lab) on the ground floor.
Please note that visitors have a two-hour parking window.
Please sign in when you enter the room, providing your license plate number.
On Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86930744337?pwd=Yb4mzm4hNYboKII0f94aFbo4wVRnSz
