News

RAMP Welcomes 5 Startups into Spring 2023 Cohort

From designing battery electric spotter tractors to developing individualized neuro-oncology treatments for aggressive gliomas, the five companies accepted into RAMP’s Spring 2023 Cohort span the gamut of technology, health science and life science innovation.

“We are thrilled to welcome these inspiring entrepreneurs and help them accelerate their vision,” said RAMP director Lisa Garcia. “Not only are these companies working in fields vital to our economic, environmental and physical health, their success and growth will enhance the technology ecosystem of western Virginia.”

  • Cairina, Inc., located in Salem, provides technologies that non-invasively measure biologic fluid flow using clinically standard imaging protocols for personalized medicine applications.
  • Code One Training Solutions, of Roanoke, offers a tech-driven, revolutionary innovation for American Heart Association CPR certification.
  • MOVA Technologies, of Pulaski, specializes in air capture technology applying sustainable, circular principles to selectively capture and harvest air contaminants as valuable byproducts that can be sold and reused.
  • SchedulerHUB, based in Roanoke, is an intuitive scheduling and analytics platform for manufacturers to manage complex production projects.
  • Trova Commercial Vehicles, Inc., located in Pulaski, develops battery electric spotter tractors (designed to move trailers and cargo containers around ports, truck terminals and distribution centers) as well as class 8 diesel to electric conversion kits.

The community is invited to “Meet the Cohort” on April 13 at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke. At the completion of RAMP’s 12-week cohort, the entrepreneurs will present to the community at “Demo Day,” tentatively scheduled for June 8.

As part of the RAMP-in-Residence experience, startups receive $20,000 in non-equity funding, expert 1:1 mentoring, and 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 following completion of the 12-week program; and three additional years of ongoing support through Exit RAMP – a suite of ever-growing and developing coaching and support services.

Founded in 2017, RAMP (Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program) has accelerated 38 companies to date that collectively employ more than 600 people and sell products and services to all 50 U.S. states and internationally. RAMP is an affiliate of Verge, a collaborative strategic alliance that includes the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council established to grow the region’s innovation economy.

 

Recent News

09/05/2025

RIVANNA awarded $2.21 million NIH grant to develop pediatric lumbar puncture ultrasound guidance system

RIVANNA®, developers of world-first imaging-based medical technologies, has been awarded a $2.21 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II (R44) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop an ultrasound guidance solution for pediatric lumbar punctures (LPs) on its Accuro® 3S platform. Lumbar punctures

09/03/2025

Cupron Performance Additives (“Cupron”) announces new distribution relationship with Palmer Holland

Cupron Performance Additives (Cupron) announced today the launch of an exclusive distribution agreement with Palmer Holland, leading North American distributor of specialty additives for the engineered materials marketplace. Palmer Holland will distribute Cupron’s copper-based antimicrobial and anti-odor technologies into plastics, films, foams, and polymeric systems throughout North America. The Cupron line effectively complements Palmer Holland’s

08/26/2025

Activation Capital Names Michael Steele as President and CEO

The Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority (doing business as Activation Capital) announced today that it has appointed Michael Steele as president and chief executive officer. Steele succeeds Robert Ward, who has served as interim CEO since July 2024 during a period of rapid growth for the life sciences ecosystem development organization. Steele comes to Activation