Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance

Rbia supports technology and life sciences founders from idea stage through scaling by providing the programming, mentorship, and resources they need at each phase of company growth. Activities include the regional accelerator and mentoring program (ramp) and its on ramp pre-accelerator suite for early-stage entrepreneurs, accelerator cohorts that deliver intensive mentorship and business development support to high-potential startups, and exit ramp services that help alumni and later-stage companies continue to grow.

Rbia strengthens the regional capital ecosystem by building investor networks and creating the infrastructure that connects investors to investable companies. Activities include operating commonwealth angels, the region's angel investor Network, producing investor roadshows and pitch events that connect regional startups to early-stage capital, attracting out-of-region investors to deploy capital into roanoke-blacksburg companies, and delivering investor education programming that grows the pool of active investors in the region.

Rbia drives regional economic growth in the technology and life sciences sectors by building the infrastructure, programming, and partnerships that early-stage and scaling companies need to launch and grow in the roanoke-blacksburg region. Activities include building a biotechnology ecosystem in Roanoke to support early-stage biotech and healthcare Innovation startups, developing talent and workforce pipeline initiatives that connect regional employers and technical talent, and delivering industry convenings.