The Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP) has introduced its spring 2025 cohort, featuring six promising tech startups. RAMP Director John Hagy compared the group’s potential to the 2003 NBA draft class, which included basketball legends Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.
The six companies, selected from the largest applicant pool in RAMP’s eight-year history, will participate in a 12-week program that includes mentoring, free office space, professional organization memberships, and $20,000 in non-equity funding. Four of the companies – Huginn Sonography, Modern Reproduction, NebulaNeuro, and Qlutch QMS – are based in Roanoke, while Helix Acoustics is from Blacksburg, and Pod Farms operates from Pulaski.
Cohort Members and Their Missions
- Helix Acoustics: Developing a molecular diagnostics technology called Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE) to accelerate disease detection.
- Huginn Sonography: Creating a wearable bladder scanner for continuous ultrasound monitoring.
- Modern Reproduction: Providing resources and information on genetic testing options during pregnancy.
- NebulaNeuro: Pioneering technology to measure neurotransmitters in awake and conscious humans.
- Pod Farms: Offering a modular hydroponic system for commercial and personal use.
- Qlutch QMS: Developing quality management software for small and mid-size businesses.
RAMP alumni have reported significant benefits from the program. Peter Lazar of Scanlily credited RAMP with teaching him customer discovery methods, while Diane Kees of Micro Harmonics stated that RAMP’s advice helped her company survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its founding in 2017, RAMP has worked with 55 companies, creating over 850 new jobs and supporting businesses that sell products nationwide and internationally. The program’s success stories demonstrate its potential to nurture innovative startups and drive economic growth in the region.
