New River Valley, VA – The Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance’s Regional Accelerator and Mentor Program (RAMP) selected 11 companies in their spring and fall 2025 cohorts. These innovative start-up companies will receive business mentoring, $20,000 in non-equity funding, free office space, and a variety of professional memberships.
Of the 2025 companies selected, two are in Virginia’s New River Valley (NRV). They are listed below.
- Helix Acoustics (Blacksburg, VA) – Helix Acoustics is transforming molecular diagnostics by streamlining DNA sample preparation. Their breakthrough technology makes DNA extraction faster and easier, enabling more accessible testing across human, animal, and environmental health.
- Pod Farms (Pulaski, VA) – Pod Farms provides hydroponic equipment and expertise to new or expanding controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farms, schools and community organizations. They have innovated a new type of vertical hydroponic system that will integrate automation, can produce crops under natural lighting, provide CEA equipment and service solutions from the United States, and integrate strategic partnership products in crop monitoring software and sensors.
RAMP currently serves western and central Virginia and “has accelerated 61 companies, employing more than 850 people and selling products and services to all U.S. states and internationally” since its inception in 2017. Their goal is to connect high-growth potential technology-based businesses with regional resources. Upon graduating from the program, alumni “receive two years of free membership in the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council; one year of membership in Virginia BIO; three years of membership in the Shenandoah Club; membership in Morrow; discounted office space; and three additional years of ongoing support through Exit RAMP – a suite of ever-growing and developing coaching and support services.”
Read more about RAMP’s cohorts here.
The NRV offers an ideal environment for businesses to thrive. With a rich pool of talent, a prime location, and a vibrant, forward-thinking business community, the NRV is the perfect place for businesses to call home. Learn more about doing business in the NRV here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
