RAMP In Residence
Since its founding in 2017, RAMP – the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program serving western and central Virginia – has accelerated 48 companies, employing more than 600 people and selling products and services to all U.S. states and internationally.
- During the 12-week cohort program, startups receive
- $20,000 in non-equity funding
- Expert 1:1 mentoring
- Free office space with high-speed internet in downtown Roanoke’s Gill Building.
- RAMP alumni also receive
- Two years of free membership in the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council
- One year of membership in Virginia BIO
- Three years of membership in the Shenandoah Club
- Membership in GAN for the lifetime of the company
- Discounted office space
- Three additional years of ongoing support through Exit RAMP – a suite of ever-growing and developing coaching and support services.
- RAMP is an affiliate of Verge, a collaborative strategic alliance that includes the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, which was established to grow the region’s innovation economy.
RAMP In Residence
Since its founding in 2017, RAMP – the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program serving western and central Virginia – has accelerated 55 companies, employing more than 850 people and selling products and services to all U.S. states and internationally.
- During the 12-week cohort program, startups receive
- $20,000 in non-equity funding
- Expert 1:1 mentoring
- Free office space with high-speed internet in downtown Roanoke’s Gill Building.
- RAMP alumni also receive
- Two years of free membership in the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council
- One year of membership in Virginia BIO
- Three years of membership in the Shenandoah Club
- Membership in GAN for the lifetime of the company
- Discounted office space
- Three additional years of ongoing support through Exit RAMP – a suite of ever-growing and developing coaching and support services.
- RAMP is an affiliate of the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA), a collaborative strategic alliance that includes the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council, which was established to grow the region’s innovation economy.
Criteria
- Time Commitment: The Founder will participate in 60 hours of in-person full-time instruction in Roanoke, VA over the 12 weeks of the program with an additional 10 hours of customer discovery work per week for 12 weeks (all sessions are in-person)
- Location: The Applicant Founder and business are located and operating in Virginia
- Idea Type: The proposed solution is a technologically differentiated, scalable, and defensible
- Idea Stage: The company is formed and there is initial evidence of a market need and problem-solution fit through previous research or company operation (Incorporated business required)
- Thesis Criteria: Technology agnostic (Technology or Health and Life Sciences) and Industry agnostic
Demo Day
Entrepreneurs present their pitch live on stage to the region’s business leaders and community at the conclusion of each cohort program.
Thank you to RBIA sponsors for allowing this event to be free to attend: VIPC, Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, City of Roanoke, Truist, Woods Rogers and Vandeventer Black, Delta Dental, Power School, Gentry Locke, Mitchell Law Firm, Virginia Western Community College, Torc Robotics, National Bank of Blacksburg, Commonwealth Capital, Middleland Capital, Botetourt County, City of Salem, Virginia Bio, Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council, and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program.
Key Dates
Fall 2025 RAMP In-Residence Cohort
Application Status: Coming Soon (non-rolling admissions)
Application Close Date: 08/10/25
Cohort Start Date: 09/15/25