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Co-hort member Fermi Energy, Inc. Feng Lin (R) & Zhengrui Xu
the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region. This includes leadership at Fralin, Roanoke City, Economic Development agencies, VT Corporate Research Center, RTBC, RAMP, Verge, and others. The merging of Verge, RTBC and RAMP created one board that allows for up to 40 people. “It’s rare that a person on the Board is there in name only,” Garcia says. She praises the helpful nature of community leaders and their willingness to provide answers when asked. This isn’t just characteristic of the merged BOD (Board of Directors), but also a wide variety of stakeholders in the technology sector. While the RAMP building is located in Roanoke City, it serves a regional area including Roanoke Valley, the New River Valley and Lynchburg. Garcia is grateful for the support of the VICP (Virginia Innovation Corp Partnership) over the years. This has included hosting or sponsoring many of RAMP’s events and being partners and supporters at the federal level with funding and other requests.
RAMP’s current cohort I think this is our biggest cohort since COVID,” states Spotswood. “It’s exciting for RAMP with things going somewhat back
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to normal.” She admits there are still some hybrid approaches in place but is energized by the return of many face-to-face activities. “It’s a great group of people,” says Garcia. “We have a really diverse array of technology. They like each other.” She’s most excited about the energy and dedication the fall cohort group brings to RAMP and their respective business ventures. A 2021 $1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant enabled RAMP to expand from its traditional one cohort annually approach to two. “That’s a lot,” says Garcia, “because all of those things you’re doing with companies is a pretty big lift.” Life and health science will be a focus for at least one of the two annual cohorts as much as possible, Garcia notes. Applications for the 2023 spring cohort will start being accepted before the end of 2022, with a likely closing date in February.
New staff scene at RAMP Garcia replaced retired Founding Director Mary Miller this summer. In addition, Spotswood was promoted to Managing Director in July 2022. Jessica