Woods Rogers pledges $50,000 to accelerator

The law firm Wood Rogers PLC plans to donate $50,000 to the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation to support a technology business accelerator opening in downtown Roanoke.

Under a five-year agreement with the foundation, Woods Rogers will contribute $10,000 per year to the RAMP accelerator from this year to 2021.

RAMP stands for Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Program. It will be located in the former Gill Memorial Hospital building at 709 S. Jefferson St.

RAMP’s mission is to help high-potential startups expand and create jobs in the STEM-H fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health).

In addition to the law firm, other partners in the initiative include the city of Roanoke, which won a state grant to complete renovations on the Gill Memorial site; and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, which will recruit RAMP participants and provide them mentorship and networking opportunities.
 
RAMP is accepting applicants for its first participant teams through March 15 (see www.ramprb.tech). The program is expected to start in June.

RAMP participants will participate in a mentoring program, networking opportunities and business education and have access to capital. The inaugural program includes 
an intensive “boot camp” that culminates in a  $5,000 prize for the accelerator company offering the best jobs-creation strategy.