Mentor Spotlight: Interview with Dr. Ryan King

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 industries.

Ryan holds degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech where he earned a PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health. An expert at transformational change through innovation, Ryan has led teams at Fralin Biomedical Institute, Carilion Clinic and currently Roanoke College. Recently, he added RAMP advisory board member to his growing list of experiences.

We had the opportunity to ask Ryan about his path through the Roanoke Blacksburg tech and biotech sphere, his advice for budding entrepreneurs, and what he thinks makes this region such a powerhouse for innovation.

Can you describe your role in the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Ecosystem?

I have played a lot of roles in the ecosystem since arriving in Roanoke in 2016. My first real introduction to the ecosystem came as a graduate student when I was selected as one of the inaugural VTC commercialization fellows (now known as the Fralin Commercialization Fellows Program) in 2018. 

Since then, I have taken a company through the RAMP in Residence program (Spring 2024), served as emcee for the Fall 2024 demo day and RBTC Tech the Halls event, served on the life science track planning committee for the 2024 Emerging Tech Conference (and emceed the Life Science Track), served as an On RAMP mentor, served on the Ramp In Residence selection committee, and recently formally agreed to join the RAMP advisory board. 

Throughout it all, I have also served the role of regional cheerleader, helping to connect the Roanoke region with innovation resources throughout the country. Outside of RAMP/RBIA, but still pertinent to the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Ecosystem, I also serve as the co-chair of the biotech workforce development committee on the Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers (BRPHSC). 

What stands out to you as unique about the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Ecosystem? 

The “let’s work together” attitude. I’ve never seen anywhere else that does a better job of pulling private business, government, and higher education into the same room on a recurring basis to work TOGETHER.  Everywhere I go in the region, everyone wants to see us succeed. 

There are coordinated efforts between the community college system, the private liberal arts schools, and the public universities to make sure everyone can get what they need without having to leave the region. Likewise, there is a sense of comradery among the business community in the region that encourages everyone to work together. 

Sitting on the BRPHSC that is abundantly apparent – the work being done in the BRPHSC to ensure workforce sustainability is now quite literally a model for the entire Commonwealth of VA. We truly are unique in our collective desire to grow and flourish as a region. 

Who are some Roanoke Blacksburg mentors that have impacted you?

It’s impossible to provide a comprehensive list! But I would love to share about my first RBTC mentor, Russ Ellis, who remains a mentor and friend to this day. When I was selected as a commercialization fellow in 2018, I was paired with Russ as my mentor. I did not realize at the time what a fortuitous pairing that would prove to be. During the fellowship, Russ gave sound advice and helped me realize the difference between a problem looking for a solution and a solution looking for a problem, sadly I was working on building the latter. 

Perhaps just as important as any advice Russ has given me, he has helped open doors and create opportunities for me. When I need a new connection, he’s there to help. When I need to locate a resource, whatever it may be, he’s there to help. And when I need a sounding board to help me vet the good from the bad, he’s there to help. I am incredibly grateful for the pairing in 2018 that resulted in Russ being my mentor. 

You’re an On RAMP mentor. What stands out to you most about that experience?

I think everyone should go through the On RAMP program, regardless of whether or not they ever intend to be an entrepreneur. This program does a great job in teaching you how to think about the world in such a way that you can see the problems BEFORE trying to prescribe the solution. Too often, we are all inclined to come up with a new idea and then use every trick in the bag to convince ourselves (and others) that it is a solution no one can live without and then it’s depressing when the idea doesn’t pan out commercially. The On RAMP program really hones the critical thinking skill to address the statement “just because we CAN build something, doesn’t mean we SHOULD build something.” 

What piece of advice would you give early-stage tech/biotech entrepreneurs? 

Try to take emotion out of the vetting process early. No one ever wants to hear that their idea is bad, but the reality is that the bad ideas now will rob you of the time you have to work on good ideas later. When you do customer discovery, be candid with yourself about what you learn – it benefits no one for you to dedicate years of your life and tons of money into an idea that was dead from the start. 

Tell us a fun fact about you! 

In high school, I held a dream of becoming a professional bowler. Back then I was really good and had won a few tournaments that gave me encouragement. I obviously didn’t end up following that path, but I have just recently got back into league bowling for the first time in 15 years and look forward to where that might lead in the future.