Dr. Ryan King is one of Roanoke Blacksburg region’s biggest innovation cheerleaders. He’s been active in the Roanoke Blacksburg innovation ecosystem since 2016 as a graduate student at Virginia Tech. Since then, he’s taken on a diverse array of roles, each one aimed at furthering the regional tech and biotech…

Product development design engineer Mike Abbott wears a lot of hats. From a founder, to consultant, to mentor, he brings his passion for good ideas and intentional innovation to every role. At RAMP, our entrepreneurs learn from his wealth of experience and knowledge through his role as Entrepreneur-in-Residence and…

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…