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Verge rebrands to Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance
Verge, a collective of organizations dedicated to tech-based economic development in the Roanoke and New River valleys, announced a rebrand Tuesday, an effort that includes a new website, logo and a new name — the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA). Previously, Verge, which has roots dating back to 2013, used “Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance” as […]
Assembled with care
If you’re trying to visualize what powers manufacturing growth around Roanoke these days, picture 3D-printed helicopter blades and robotics, not old-style grommets. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing produces objects by creating a series of consecutive layers, as opposed to “subtractive” manufacturing, which removes material to carve out an object. Advanced manufacturing c[...]
RAMP hires new executive director
The new executive director of RAMP, the Roanoke-based Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program, once worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. Now he’ll help startups get off the ground in Roanoke, after doing work in the startup ecosystem in North Carolina. John Hagy started as executive director of RAMP on Jan. 8. He takes the place […]
Pivot points
Talk to those on the front lines of startups — entrepreneurs, investors and those running incubators and accelerators — and one word comes up over and over: pivot. If an entrepreneur isn’t able or willing to be flexible, chances are poor their business will succeed. “Those unduly connected to what they started with must understand […]
Ecosystem insights
Leaders from across Virginia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem discuss investing in new companies, challenges facing startups and advice for success. KAREN BOOTH ADAMS CEO, Hot Technology Holdings LLC Richmond What do you look for when you’re investing in a startup? The most important thing I look for when investing in a startup is the tenacity, drive, intelligence […]
2020 RAMP cohort chosen
Roanoke-based business accelerator RAMP — the Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Program — announced the selection of six high-growth startups as part of its fourth round of training. The companies are taking part in workshops that test the viability and marketability of their products before they enter a larger market. RAMP is focused on companies in […]
