Applications Are Open for the RAMP In Residence Program due by February 16, 2025!

We’re excited to announce that applications are now available for the Spring 2025 Cohort! If you’re in the process of building a technology or health and life sciences startup, this is the accelerator for you.

Applicants for RAMP In Residence must have a formed company with an identified market need, be located in Virginia, and be available for in-person instruction in Roanoke for the 12 week program.

If you fit this criteria, we highly encourage you to apply!

LEARN MORE + APPLY NOW

Apply for the On RAMP Pre-Accelerator!

Too early in the startup process for an accelerator, but still need help getting off the ground? On RAMP may be for you! This four-week program is designed to introduce you to entrepreneurship and business strategy. The goal is to help you and your business get a leg up. If this sounds like the right fit, apply today before spots fill up! On RAMP services are made possible thanks to a RBIA GO Virginia Strengthening Entrepeneurs’ Impact Grant, and EDA EAA Catalyzing Entrepreneur Impact and Support Grant.

LEARN MORE + APPLY NOW

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January 30, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

The 2nd CvilleBioHub Device & Tech Expo follows up on last year’s success with a bigger and better showcase of medical innovation. We’ll be announcing exhibiting companies in December.

If you are interested in attending the Device & Tech Expo, reserve your slot today! If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the Expo, email charlie@cvillebiohub.org for more info.

Learn More & Register Today!

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Come work with the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA) team! We’re hiring 2 roles; see the links below; come join us!

Grants and Operations Coordinator

RBIA is seeking a detail-oriented and results-driven Grants and Operations Coordinator to oversee and manage the full lifecycle of grant-funded projects, as well as operations administration. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of grant management, as well as working with the executive staff on administrative needs. The duties will require strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and experience in managing complex projects.

See the full job description, expectations, and link to apply.

Corporate Partnerships Manager

The Corporate Partnerships Manager will play a critical role in driving revenue growth, diversifying funding sources, and strengthening partnerships to advance Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance’s mission. This individual will lead initiatives to secure corporate sponsorships, assist in developing grant proposals, and foster relationships with key donors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is passionate about our cause, skilled in strategic development, and adept at cultivating lasting relationships.

See the full job description, expectations, and link to apply. 

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🌟 Mark Your Calendars: 2025 Capital Reception in Richmond 🌟

We’re thrilled to announce the VA West 2025 Capital Reception in Richmond, Virginia! Join us as we connect business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders for an evening of meaningful conversations, networking, and collaboration. This annual event is a unique opportunity to amplify the Roanoke Region’s voice in our state capital. Together, we’ll discuss the priorities that matter most to our business community while fostering relationships that drive progress for our region. Whether you’re a seasoned Chamber member or new to the conversation, your presence makes a difference. Let’s continue shaping a vibrant future for the Roanoke Region because your voice matters!

Invited guests include delegates and senators from these participating VA West Chamber’s:

*note – there are many cities and towns included in these regions*

Bedford Area, Danville & Pittsylvania Counties, Greater Augusta Region, Harrisonburg-Rockingham, Lexington, Buena Vista, & Rockbridge Counties, Halifax County, Lynchburg Region, Martinsville & Henry Counties, Montgomery County, Roanoke Region, Salem-Roanoke County, Shenandoah County, Smith Mountain Lake Region, Top of Virginia Region, Two Virginias Region, and Wytheville, Wythe, & Bland Counties.

The evening includes networking, drinks, and light appetizers.

Register and learn more about event sponsors!

The event is in partnership with:

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No matter where you find yourself in the startup lifecycle, RAMP wants to connect you with regional resources if you are building a technology-based business with high-growth potential. Please review the economic impact RAMP had on the regional innovation ecosystem in 2024, and please feel free to download a pdf copy of the metric sheet displayed above. 

The post RAMP 2024 Economic Impact appeared first on Verge.

RBIA has enjoyed a successful 2024, with the support of its sponsors, partners, and funders, as we continue to build regional coalitions, advance biotech, expand RAMP services, lead ecosystem building activities, and develop resources to grow the regional innovation ecosystem. For a PDF copy to download and print of the above, please click here.

The post RBIA 2024 Year in Review appeared first on Verge.

Hear from each of our RAMP Fall 2024 startups as they share their pitch live on stage at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. Then continue the festivities with entertainment, holiday treats, and delicious food and drink. Doors will open at 5:00 pm and programming is to begin at 5:30 pm.

Tech the Halls is open to the public and free to attend! RSVP is required. RAMP alumni and RBTC members are especially encouraged to attend and help welcome three new startups into the technology community.

Help us Tech the Halls and connect with Verge, Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology and RAMP communities in this fun, year-end event in Blacksburg, VA.

REGISTER NOW!

Thank you to our Verge alliance sponsors for allowing this event to be free to attend: VIPC (Regional Innovation Fund), Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech Foundation, City of Roanoke, GO Virginia, Woods Rogers, Delta Dental, Gentry Locke, Mitchell Law Firm, Virginia Western Community College, National Bank of Blacksburg, Commonwealth Capital, Middleland Capital, Botetourt County, City of Salem, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, Roanoke County, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Bio, Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

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RICHMOND, VA, UNITED STATES, November 13, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) today announced that Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia-based Verge has been awarded a Regional Innovation Fund (RIF) grant for $200,000. Verge is the region’s front door for innovators, founders, and funders to work together and to provide a growing roster of companies – both startups and established – with resources to grow and thrive, creating positive economic impact across the region and within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Verge’s programs build, connect, and support the regional tech- and biotech-based entrepreneurial and innovation economic ecosystem. Its flagship program, the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP), has recently expanded to include “Exit RAMP” to further support startups after their RAMP-in-Residence experience with a heavy focus on access to capital. Exit RAMP support includes ongoing programming, focused mentorship, network-building events, and annual memberships to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and Virginia Bio. At the other side of the spectrum is “On RAMP,” which includes efforts to increase the pipeline of entrepreneurs and startups in the region and state. On RAMP programming focuses on navigating the local, regional, and statewide ecosystem support network to better prepare startups for acceleration and reduce their barriers to entry.

Over the past three years, RAMP has nurtured 30 startups, who have launched 35 new products into market and created 97 jobs. RIF funding, in addition to a Verge GO Virginia Strengthening Entrepreneurs’ Impact Grant, will help RAMP expand the On RAMP and Exit RAMP initiatives, effectively broadening RAMP’s overall potential impact.

“Verge is highly regarded as a key resource for grants, strategy, and thought leadership throughout Virginia,” stated Erin Burcham, President of Verge. “We are deeply committed to advancing both regional and statewide priorities through ongoing strategic planning, connecting entrepreneurs with top-tier resources, and establishing robust technology-focused economic partnerships across the region, state, and nation. Building a strong ecosystem requires the involvement of the entire community and a network of stakeholders, and as we engage them to broaden our reach and impact, this additional RIF grant is immensely valuable. We are grateful for VIPC’s continued support.”

Verge will also use new RIF funding to continue to strengthen its support of, partnerships with, and the overall expansion of other entrepreneurial support organizations located within the region and across the state, including local governments, higher education, and community-based support organizations. As part of its coalition-building and ecosystem-sustaining work, Verge will continue to work with regional stakeholders and statewide partners to develop resources and collaborations that resolve gaps in the entrepreneurial pipeline and ecosystem as identified through Verge’s ongoing research.

Joe Benevento, VIPC President and CEO, said, “Verge has been a great collaborative partner with VIPC, regional stakeholders, and local entrepreneurs. We look forward to seeing Verge help foster continued regional innovation growth and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem supportive of high-impact startup companies that contribute to the Commonwealth’s economic prosperity.”

“Innovation is happening daily across Virginia, and it’s so important to have an organization like Verge as a resource and support for local founders and startups,” said Conaway Haskins, VIPC’s Vice President of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. “Verge will continue to facilitate new and existing alliances across the regions to expand their support where it can be most impactful. We’ve already seen the impact RIF funding has had on Verge’s operations in the past, and we’re pleased to help them extend their offerings and affect an even greater number of entrepreneurs.”

About Verge
Verge, which includes alliance members Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP), helps facilitate regional connection, communication, and collaboration by identifying regional priorities and funding to advance tech and biotech projects and solutions across the Roanoke and New River Valleys and Lynchburg. Verge serves GO Virginia Region 2 and works to form collaborations with government, business, academia, and other organizations to advance the region and grow a thriving innovation economy. Learn more at www.vergeva.org.

About Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)
Connecting innovators with opportunities. VIPC operates as the nonprofit corporation on behalf of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA). VIPA / VIPC is Virginia’s designated authority for leading innovation and economic development in the Commonwealth of Virginia through research, commercialization, and technology advancement; entrepreneurship, startup, and venture capital growth; and regional ecosystem, innovation network, and industry sector expansion. As part of its operations, VIPC helps attract and catalyze private investment into early-stage startup companies, provides research and technology commercialization grants to universities and entrepreneurs, and offers resource and funding support for entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation networks, and public-private partnerships at local, state, federal levels.

VIPC’s programs include: Virginia Invests | Virginia Venture Partners (VVP) | Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) | Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Development | Regional Innovation Fund (RIF) | Smart Communities | The Virginia Smart Community Testbed | The Virginia Unmanned Systems Center | Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Alliance (VAAMA) | The Public Safety Innovation Center (PSIC) | Federal Funding Assistance Program (FFAP) for SBIR & STTR | University Partnerships | Startup Company Mentoring & Engagement.

For more information, please visit www.VIPC.org. Explore the latest news from VIPC and images from VIPC-supported stakeholder events. Follow VIPC on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EE) and the Regional Innovation Fund (RIF)
VIPC’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EE) acts as a supporter, connector, and convener for entrepreneurial ecosystems and startup communities throughout Virginia. These stakeholders include accelerators, incubators, innovation hubs, economic developers, technology councils, chambers of commerce, industry associations, and others who assist founders during the early stages of business formation and growth. EE manages the Regional Innovation Fund (RIF), a state-funded program that awards competitive grants to Virginia-based entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) that have a strong track record of assisting early-stage Virginia science and technology entrepreneurs and companies. RIF grants provide operational and program funding for successful ESOs and ecosystem-building initiatives. For more information, visit www.VIPC.org.

Angela Costello, Vice President of Communications
Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)
angela.costello@VirginiaIPC.org
Visit us on social media: Facebook; X

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