5 Startups Pitch Live at RAMP Spring 2026 Demo Day
The Spring 2026 RAMP cohort celebrated Demo Day on June 4, capturing the excitement, innovation, and discovery of over 71 accelerated companies, 2,500 customer discovery interviews, and $50 million raised by RAMP alumni.
The impressive night highlighted more than 950 full and part-time jobs created by RAMP alumni that elevate the Roanoke area and strengthen the regional tech and biotech hub.
The 2026 spring cohort featured 5 different start-ups: AdaptivXR, Helix Hydrogen, RANDAO, S1P Therapeutics, and Vectorial Corporation. The founders each shared their pitch on a live stage.
“It was supposed to be all about [funding], but my main takeaway was that it was all about people. Not just training and education, but a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, one feels lucky to get,” said Vectorial Corporation team member, Alexey Zaitsev.
Throughout the RAMP experience, local mentors cultivate talent and guide founders through the challenges and adversity of entrepreneurship during and after their time at RAMP.
In particular, RAMP is grateful for the guidance provided by Mike Abbott, Chip Bobbert, Jessie Dunn, Fourd Kemper, Nick Mirra, Woods Rogers, Allison Watkins, Russell Hertzburg, Toni Sperry, James Ramey, Greg Fisher, Harvey Brookins, Brooke Miller, Jon Cornett-McKee, and Allen Foster.
Each mentor dedicated their time and expertise to provide RAMP founders the most valuable experience possible and challenging them to build successful, long-lasting companies. Thanks to such extensive support, more than 80% of RAMP startups are still active today.
“These founders have been pushed to validate their markets, challenge their assumptions, sharpen their business models, and clearly articulate the value they’re building. This isn’t just about helping build successful tech companies. It’s about cultivating talent right here in our region,” said RAMP lead instructor, Mike Abbott.
Demo Day marks the cohort’s completion of the RAMP program. Throughout the program, members have gained valuable insight, meaningful customer discovery, and the confidence to make a real-world impact.
“As a scientist stepping into entrepreneurship, RAMP gave me the confidence and tools to translate years of research into a vision with real-world impact. Demo Day marks not an ending, but the beginning of our journey to improve outcomes for patients at risk of acute kidney injury,” said research scientist, Ramkrishna Laha.
Members of the Spring 2026 cohort will continue to develop their companies and insight as official RAMP alumni. If you want to learn more about the Roanoke Blacksburg innovation ecosystem and how it could support your big ideas, book a 1-on-1 ecosystem navigator call for a custom guide to available entrepreneur support resources.