Roanoke, New River Valley organizations form tech alliance

The Valleys Innovation Council (VIC), the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP) have formed an alliance called Verge. 

In July 2020, the three groups announced they were developing the alliance, which is aimed at supporting the region’s technologists, innovators and entrepreneurs. VIC focuses on research commercialization and the regional economy, RBTC promotes the growth of the technology community and RAMP provides resources for tech startups.

“By aligning the efforts of three distinct but synergistic entities, we will all more effectively develop external resourcing [and] more efficiently implement new programs ensuring each reaches the right audiences at the right moments and in the right contexts to provide maximum value,” CEO Greg Feldmann said in a statement. “It’s all about comprehensively supporting the many people and organizations who are investing in and shaping the economic future of our region.”

Under the alliance, the three groups will continue day-to-day operations under their current brands. John Phillips will lead RBTC, Mary Miller will lead RAMP and Feldmann will lead VIC.

The Verge brand name was selected following a six-month process that included interviews, focus groups, feedback sessions and workshops. Local marketing and growth strategy firm Eddy Alexander developed the brand.

“As technology converges at lightning speed, the idea that three of our most successful regional entities are actively evolving to continue to meet the needs of our regional community is really exciting,” Jennifer Eddy, president and chief strategist of Eddy Alexander, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see what this group does next.”

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