The RAMP Spring 2025 cohort has been hard at work laying the groundwork for growth and refining their pitches. Soon, their 12-week accelerator experience will conclude, but not without a little fanfare first! RAMP is proud to present all 6 cohort companies June 5 as they pitch to a live…

Pod Farms, LLC based in Pulaski, VA, is setting out to address the problems of crop production through hydroponics. Through their patented technology, Pod Farms is working hard to unlock hyper-local food production for commercial grow operations, community grow centers, and home hobbyists.  South Carolina native Toni Sperry is…

RAMP mentor Hal Irvin is an integral part of the Roanoke Blacksburg technology community, where he leverages his skills as a master connector of people and ideas. At RAMP, Hal sits on the advisory board in addition to working as a RAMP Mentor, where he guides technology and life science…

In March 2025, RAMP expanded its offerings to the regional innovation ecosystem with the pilot program of its new RAMP Fellows Program, a 1-month experiential consulting exercise that brought together RAMP alumni companies and MBA students to solve real-life business challenges.  The 4-week program brought together RAMP alumni companies…

RAMP is thrilled to announce six new teams that will comprise the Spring 2025 RAMP In Residence cohort. RAMP In Residence is the region’s signature technology and life science accelerator program and accepts two cohorts per year.  This RAMP cohort is composed of an exceptionally talent collection of Founders,” said…

Up-and-coming tech entrepreneur Amethyst Edmond is an active member of the Roanoke Blacksburg technology community. Hailing from Hampton, VA, Amethyst is a two-time Norfolk State University alumna, earning a bachelor of science in biology degree and a master of science in cybersecurity.  Amethyst is a recent graduate of the On…

RAMP alum Dr. Kumar Kandasamy is the founder and CEO of Enabled Engineering, a manufacturing technology company in Blacksburg, VA. After completing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India, Dr. Kandasamy completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Missouri S&T with a specialization the…

RAMP mentor Harvey Brookins is a commercial banker with the National Bank where he serves as the executive for the Roanoke market. He was tapped to lead the first full-service branch in Roanoke where built a great team of banking professionals and lives out his…

RAMP alumni Tiny Cargo Company is expanding in the City of Roanoke! The biotech start-up has announced the creation of three jobs and $500,000 in capital investment and upfitting an existing 10,800-square-foot warehouse to include a clean room—the first commercial clean room in Roanoke—and production space. Their expansion prepares…