There’s Something Happening Here

A changing of the guard at RAMP

RAMP - the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program – has a new director, as its first leader steps away from that position. Mary Miller has been director of the RAMP business incubator - focused on high-tech startups - since its debut five years ago. Miller retired from her position at the end of June, just after the latest cohort of startups went through its Demo Day dog-and-pony show for mentors and potential investors. “We can help connect you to the resources you need to take the next step. No one should have to ‘get lucky’ to find the resources they need. My goal has always been to see the resources kind of get above the waterline [so they can be found more easily].”

RAMP - now part of the VERGE consortium – also holds monthly "pitch clinics" where startups including those not enrolled in a cohort (typically 5-6 entrepreneurs who make the cut after applying) at the incubator on South Jefferson Street take part. “So many good things are going to happen in the next 5 years, I can assure you. Here we are five years later, and 33 companies have gone through our system, A lot of success and more success to come.” Miller says the thought that startups have to go to places like Austin, Texas or Silicon Valley to launch successfully is changing - with the Roanoke-Blacksburg region now on the radar screen. She knows a thing or two about startups – having launched her own software development company in Blacksburg several decades ago.

“There’s a real belief and initiative to bring companies to us,” declares Miller. “I’ve been nurturing companies that are homegrown here. I do believe in the not too-far distant future we will be attracting companies that want to move to our region because of the cooperation and the friendliness of the community that we have … a real fabric of support.” Lisa Garcia - already involved with the RAMP program through Verge - will assume Miller's role this month. Miller, who intends to stay involved as a mentor, says the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute has been a major player in growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem - also noting that RAMP will be involved once the shared wet lab space managed by the FBRI is up and running: “that new investment in bio-tech absolutely aligns directly with what RAMP is doing – and will continue to do.”

No one should have to 'get lucky' to find the ”“ resources they need.

THERE’S SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE

By Gene Marrano

Executive Summary:

The high-tech business incubator’s first director is moving on from that role but will stay involved.

Field / On Tap

from Page 36

Occupational licensing (p. 58) At first glance, it appears there is a suggestion of lightening the requirements of licensing (someone noticed the restrictions hurt more than help); but the “reform” in this report is all about maintaining compliance. You can praise the assurance and sense of legitimacy or protection consumers get from licensed operators, but the practice does not increase competition. It scares the majority of civilized people to think of a “Wild West” scenario where anyone and everyone can provide products or services; but when competition is that fierce, the best providers win. If you think free market capitalism is exploitative, try a collective, socialized and heavily-regulated system.

So, enjoy your summer reading. I have no doubt many of you will disagree with my review. In any case, we’d all be better served by reading a kid’s book: What Should Danny Do? (It’s available at Bookelicious—see our cover story!)