VIC, RBTC and RAMP Form Strategic Alliance

Region’s Innovation Economy and Technology Community to Benefit

Roanoke, VA—Valleys Innovation Council (VIC), Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), and the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP) today announced they are joining forces in a strategic alliance. The new alliance will drive initiatives that support the region’s innovation economy and technology community.

Greg Feldmann, serving as the CEO of the aligned organizations, said, “This alliance creates a welcoming regional ‘front door’ from all three groups—VIC, RBTC and RAMP. Together, we are better positioned to connect the region’s technology community and support programs to innovators, founders, and funders to drive plans and activities to support growth of technology-based companies. The alliance will also foster partnering opportunities with regional businesses, entrepreneurial support organizations, the education sector, and local, state and federal governments.”

John Phillips will remain President of RBTC and Dr. Mary Miller will remain Director of RAMP. Dr. Meredith Hundley will serve as Director of Research, Planning, and Grants. As CEO, Greg Feldmann will oversee the operations of VIC, RBTC, and RAMP.

All three organizations will work together to unify and coordinate efforts. Together, they will be more efficient, effective, and capable of mobilizing resources, advocating for changes, and tracking progress towards goals and key performance indicators. Sponsors, donors, and grantors may earmark their support to specific projects among the three entities.

Feldmann added, “Working as one team, we will also focus on attracting interest and funding for the region’s existing and budding industry clusters—such as emerging technologies like autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and blockchain, IT, advanced manufacturing, and health and life sciences.”

The alliance’s work covers Region 2 of GO Virginia—bringing opportunities to build the innovation economy and engage in the technology community from Pulaski County to the Alleghany Highlands, through the Roanoke Valley and east to Lynchburg and its surrounding counties.

Commenting on the structure the alliance creates, Doug Juanarena, former VIC Co-Chair New River Valley, and Victor Iannello, former VIC Co-Chair Roanoke Valley, said, “The alliance increases VIC’s ability to be the strategic planner and connection point to resources and support organizations. We expect to see existing technology companies expand and new ones start, grow, and thrive in the region. We also believe this alliance will increase our region’s competitiveness for future funding under the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority and GO Virginia, as well as from federal and private foundation sources.”

Kevin Bloomfield, former RBTC Co-Chair, and John Phillips, President of RBTC said, “RBTC’s role will remain a membership-driven entity and will continue to be the voice and home for the region’s vibrant technology community. This alliance will allow even more options to partner with organizations to deliver professional development opportunities through seminars, webinars, events, and mentorship programs. We’ll work to engage our tech company leaders and their employees and to establish connections to organizations and resources that can help businesses grow and prosper.”

Dr. Mary Miller, Director of RAMP said, “We’re delighted to align with these groups and the result will be enriched programming and mentorship for our cohorts. This partnership will further strengthen the value of RAMP as a business accelerator.”

Virginia Western Community College President, Dr. Robert H. Sandel said, “As one of the founding community partners of RAMP, and a long-time supporter of RBTC and VIC, we continue to believe we can grow companies and keep talent in this region, whether it’s in information technology, advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or other entrepreneurial efforts. The strategic alliance between RBTC, VIC, and RAMP should give RAMP an even greater ability to make an impact on growing our regional economy.”

A unified board of directors and an aligned management team will work to execute the alliance’s coordinated strategies. VIC and RBTC have a strong history of working together on grants and funding for RAMP, as well as other activities. Bloomfield and Juanarena will serve as co-chairs of the strategic alliance’s board.

Feldmann added, “As part of the alignment path, we are also evaluating the current organizations’ websites and names and how best to identify the alliance with a new name that imparts its overall mission, structure, and geography. We expect to start this project before September.”

The alliance will continue to co-locate with an office in the CRC in Blacksburg and at RAMP in Roanoke.

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Organizations in this Alliance and its Board of Directors:

Valleys Innovation Council supports the region by connecting, communicating, and collaborating with stakeholders to grow and strengthen our region’s innovation economy. VIC is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit valleysinnovation.org

Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council is a member-driven association working to promote the growth of the Roanoke-Blacksburg technology and innovation community. Membership ranges from emerging technology firms to the largest employers in the region. RBTC is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit rbtc.tech

Regional Accelerator and Mentorship Program (RAMP) is the region’s accelerator program that works to identify and support the growth of the region’s technology-based startup community through coordinated mentoring, educational programming, and increased access to capital that will foster a more vibrant and diverse regional economy. The program is a partnership of the City of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. To learn about RAMP, visit ramprb.com

Board of Directors:

Co-Chairs: Kevin Bloomfield • Doug Juanarena

Eddie Amos • Amy Ankrum • Henry Bass • John Capps • David Catalano • Kathy Claytor • Nick Conte • Steve Critchfield • Donald Deeds • Russ Ellis • Greg Feldmann • Ken Ferris • William Fralin • Mike Friedlander Cheryl Giggetts • Pat Huber • Victor Iannello • Ed Lawhorn • Frank Lucia • Joe Meredith • Marty Muscatello • Patrick Patterson • Sean Peters • John Phillips • John Rainone • Robert Sandel • Barbara Schleider • Beth Sherman • Jeff Smith • Brian Soller • Bob Stolle • Wayne Strickland • Marjorie Tenzer • Don Taylor • Beth Waller • Clark Worthy