The GO Virginia State Board recently approved two projects in Region 2 aimed at boosting the regional economy. The first project, called the Strengthening Entrepreneurs’ Impact project with Verge, aims to support early-stage entrepreneurs and enhance the technology and biotech industry ecosystem in the New River Valley and Roanoke Region. This project will provide programming and support for early-stage entrepreneurs, expand support for cohort companies that completed the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP), and focus on improving strategies for continuing education, funding opportunities, human capital alignment, and mentorship. The project received $577,800 in state funds and leveraged $288,900 in non-state sources.
The second project, known as the Talent Pathways Initiative, focuses on the region’s key clusters: life sciences and biotechnology and transportation manufacturing and autonomy. It aims to develop industry coalitions to address workforce needs, conduct a thorough analysis of workforce requirements, identify necessary skills and training, and support high-impact pathway projects for implementation. This initiative received $250,000 in state funds and leveraged $292,529 in non-state sources.
These projects are part of GO Virginia, a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative.
Learn more HERE.
About Verge:
Verge (formerly Valleys Innovation Council), which includes alliance members RBTC and RAMP, helps facilitate regional connection, communication, and collaboration by identifying regional priorities and funding to advance tech and biotech projects and solutions across the Roanoke and New River Valleys, and Lynchburg. Verge serves GO Virginia Region 2 and works to form collaborations with government, business, academia, and other organizations to advance the region and grow a thriving innovation economy.
About RAMP:
Cohort companies must fully participate in the program and locate to the Roanoke region. The accepted companies can expect to be engaged in the program two full days a week for the entire 12-week program that features:
- 1:1 expert mentoring as well as access to content mentors covering the world of business knowledge
- Free office space with hi-speed internet access
- Access to angel and VC investors through our Demo Day presentations
- $20,000 in equity-free funding
- Free membership in the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council
- Three additional years of ongoing support
As a proud member of GAN, each founder is also given access to playbooks, mentors and other resources across hundreds of other accelerators and companies around the world.
For questions about connecting with Verge or RAMP, contact the VTCRC team at marketing@vtcrc.com.