roanoke virginia Articles

RAMP is pleased to announce that applications are now open for our fall cohort to begin in September 2021. We are looking for technology startups with scalability, and coachable entrepreneurs who have a desire to do the work.  RAMP will select up to five companies for the 12-week cohort that provides:…

Got milk? RAMP startup Tiny Cargo puts a whole new spin on that. Working at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke, Tiny Cargo is using milk acquired from Homestead Creamery to create a transformative drug delivery technology for an entirely new class of drugs that could help…

Entrepreneur John Brock shares his experience being part of our 2018 cohort ... and offers his expertise for incoming cohort participants. Brock is the founder of BrockWorks, Inc., and Constructability3D. https://youtu.be/hWnZb9I7QQc

As we prepare to welcome our Spring 2021 Cohort, we’re pleased to introduce a new video series, “Alumni Advice,” featuring previous cohort members sharing their experiences.

“Spend lots of time with your target market,” advises RAMP mentor Tom England, founder of Pareto Insight in our newest Mentor Magic video series that offers guidance for startup ventures.

“Be your best devil’s advocate,” says RAMP instructor Mike Abbott in our newest “Mentor Magic” video that offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Please join us in thanking Doug Juanarena -- serial entrepreneur, Valleys Innovation Council board co-chair and mentor to three successful RAMP tech startups to date. Founder and CEO of three tech startups over a 35-year career, Juanarena today donates his expertise to help aspiring entrepreneurs as a RAMP mentor. “It’s been rewarding because it’s fun to help the next generation of founders get to the next level whether it’s scaling up through raising capital or product development or strategic planning,” Juanarena says.

RAMP director Mary Miller introduces our new video series “Mentor Magic” that features advice from our team of expert mentors for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur John Schott is passionate about the Roanoke-Blacksburg business community. He first fell in love with the region while attending Virginia Tech, where he earned a Master’s in Civil Engineering, but career opportunities took him to Northern Virginia. “I knew I wanted to get back to this region, but didn’t know if I could have a career here."