RAMP Up:

Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Innovation Accelerator

Turn your innovation into a business ready for growth.

RAMP Up is a new 8-week commercialization accelerator program for Virginia-based entrepreneurs and companies building what’s next in agriculture, forestry, food systems innovations, wood products, natural resources, rural technology, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, sustainability, and related industries.

Hosted in-person at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia, RAMP Up is delivered through a partnership between RISE (Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs) and RAMP (Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program).

Applications for the inaugural cohort are due by September 3, 2026.

Pitch Day at the Emerging Tech Conference: November 19-20, 2026

*Weekly in-person sessions are tentatively scheduled for Monday afternoons at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Va. Attendance is required at all sessions and at the Pitch Day. There will be one virtual session.

**Grant funding available to eligible program graduates, subject to funding availablity and completion of program requirements.

Is RAMP Up right for you?

Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for growth, RAMP Up is designed to help innovative companies validate their market, strengthen their business model, and prepare for commercialization.

You may be:

✓ An entrepreneur with an idea.

✓ A startup developing a prototype or MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

✓ A company preparing to launch a product or service.

✓ An existing business developing a new product, technology, process, or innovation.

✓ A spinout from an existing business, university, or research institution.

✓ A company with existing customers looking to grow or enter new markets.

You don’t have to be a traditional agriculture or forestry business. Companies developing innovative products or technologies that support agriculture, forestry, sustainability, rural communities, or related industries are encouraged to apply.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Cities of Covington, Danville, Emporia, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem
• Counties of Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Craig, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Greensville, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Sussex
• Businesses located within towns in these counties are also eligible to apply

Note: The list above includes the 23 Cities/Counties in the Southern Virginia region served by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. The additional localities included are eligible through the RISE–RAMP partnership.

PROGRAM COMMITMENT

By applying, participants understand and agree that:

• • Weekly cohort sessions, coaching sessions, and participation in Pitch Day are mandatory.
  • Weekly cohort sessions will be held on Mondays, 2-5pm. Seven sessions will be in-person at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia, and one session which will be held virtually.
  • Cohort sessions will meet once each week for approximately three (3) hours, and participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions.
  • Mentor meetings may be held virtually or in person, as determined jointly by the mentor and participating company.
  • Participants should expect to dedicate a minimum of four (4) hours per week to program activities, including assignments, customer discovery, mentor meetings, and work outside of class.
  • The final mandatory Pitch Day is expected to take place during the Emerging Tech Conference in Roanoke, Virginia, on November 19 or 20, 2026.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Not sure if RAMP Up is the right fit for your business? Have questions about eligibility, the application process, or what to expect? Reach out to a member of the program team. We’d be happy to talk with you.

Jessie Dunn

RAMP Program Manager

Can help with questions about the program curriculum, schedule, and application process.

📧 jessica.dunn@rbia.tech

Not sure who to contact?

No problem! Reach out to either member of the team, and we’ll make sure you connect with the right person.

Or email hello@sovainnovationhub.com and we’ll get you started.

HELP BUILD THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

To support RAMP Up participants, RISE is building a network of expert mentors and trusted professional service providers who can help innovative companies move from idea to commercialization and growth.

Sponsors & Partners

Sponsors and partners help expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and strengthen the RAMP Up experience.

Interested in Getting Involved? 

Whether you’re interested in serving as a volunteer mentor, joining the Preferred Service Provider Network, or exploring sponsorship opportunities, we’d love to connect.

Lauren Mathena
RISE Program Director, SOVA Innovation Hub
📧 hello@sovainnovationhub.com

POWERED BY PARTNERSHIP

The RAMP Up accelerator combines RISE’s regional entrepreneurship initiative with RAMP’s nationally recognized commercialization expertise to help innovative companies accelerate growth.

RAMP Program Operator

The Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA) operates RAMP and works to strengthen Virginia’s innovation economy by connecting entrepreneurs with commercialization expertise, mentors, investors, research institutions, and strategic industry partners.