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Cohort member Kumar Kandasamy of Enabled Engineering
RAMPing up for cooperation and growth By Nanette Levin Changes abound in the technology sector regionally. This includes a bigger focus on collaboration among groups. There are a number that provide assistance to start ups and existing businesses. RAMP, like other supporting agencies in the area, has experienced staff changes and additions. RAMP
Lisa Garcia
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Lisa Garcia was promoted on July 1 to the position of Director of RAMP and also serves as Vice President for Entrepreneurial Development at Verge. She’s encouraged by cooperative efforts and looking forward to the unveiling of upcoming projects. “There’s a lot of entities now that are being brought together under one roof that have all been working together for years and years,” she says. While the formal merging includes RBTC, Verge and RAMP, many have been and will continue to be involved, including VWCC, the City of Roanoke and others. RAMP was established in Roanoke City in 2017. The concept, building, and associated resources came into being with funding from GO Virginia, the City of Roanoke and Virginia Western Community College. Through 2021, the entity has supported 31 startups (see sidebar). The latest cohort is scheduled to graduate in December of 2022.