Learn more about us
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.
The RAMP program includes different levels of support to help companies on their business journeys.
Pitch & Polish clinics offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch to a group of mentors and investors and receive feedback on early-stage business ideas. There are no prerequisites and no application is required.
On-RAMP is our early-stage pre-accelerator program where prospective entrepreneurs explore problems, markets, and what it means to be a Founder. On RAMP’s goal is to prepare entrepreneurs for RAMP In-Residence Program. There are no prerequisites; applications are required.
The RAMP In-Residence Program is our 12-week in-residence accelerator program. The program focuses on developing core entrepreneurial tool sets like customer discovery, market analysis and segmentation, culminating with a Demo Day pitch to the ecosystem. There are no prerequisites; applications are required.
Exit RAMP is our post-accelerator program focused on preparing our RAMP alumni companies to raise venture capital and angel investment. This course blends workshops on fundraising topics like venture math and due diligence with live practice pitches to a group of VCs and angel investors. Each company is paired with a mentor to help them improve their pitch through the program. This program is only available to RAMP In Residence Alumni.
RAMP-in-Residence
Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, we offer two cohorts per year with an average of five STEM-related companies accepted.
Cohort companies must fully participate in the program and locate to the Roanoke region weekly. The accepted companies can expect to be engaged in the program two full days a week for the entire 12-week program that features:
- $20,000 in equity-free funding sponsored by VIPC and Verge
- 1:1 Mentorship
- Access to industry experts
- 12 weeks of intensive curriculum
- Free office space with high-speed internet access
- Free membership in:
- the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) for two years
- GAN for the lifetime of your company – each founder is given access to playbooks, mentors and other resources including over $1M worth in perks
- the Shenandoah Club for three years
- Virginia Bio for one year
- Discounted office space following your completion of the program
- Three additional years of ongoing support through Exit RAMP
As a proud member of GAN, each founder is also given access to playbooks, mentors and other resources across hundreds of other accelerators and companies around the world.
History
RAMP was founded in 2017 with funding from GO Virginia, the City of Roanoke, and Virginia Western Community College to accelerate promising tech startups through entrepreneurial resources, mentorship, and programming. In 2020, RAMP was awarded a $1M grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration doubling our output. To date, RAMP has accelerated 52 companies, facilitated the creation of 800 jobs, and provided the best-in-class training for entrepreneurs.
The organization is now part of the Verge Alliance, which also includes the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. The exceptional initiatives at RAMP are aimed at growing the region into a top hub for technology and health and life science innovation. The RAMP program includes different levels of support to help companies on their business journeys.
