RAMP is thrilled to announce six new teams that will comprise the Spring 2025 RAMP In Residence cohort. RAMP In Residence is the region’s signature technology and life science accelerator program and accepts two cohorts per year.
RAMP will host a “Meet the Cohort”, open to the public, on April 10 at 5 p.m. at The Shenandoah Club in Roanoke. Cohort members are:
Helix Acoustics (Blacksburg, VA)
Helix Acoustics, transforms molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases by eliminating the bottlenecks of DNA sample preparation and enabling access to faster, more reliable disease detection for improved patient care. Their core technology, Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE), delivers unparalleled speed while enhancing DNA yield and quality, enabling species- and strain-level detection.
Today, bacterial culture remains the most common diagnostic approach but these tests take weeks to deliver results and often result in slow turnaround times, high costs, and low diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Molecular detection methods offer superior speed and increased sensitivity and specificity but the sample preparation process is currently too labor and time intensive. By streamlining sample preparation, FUSE empowers clinicians with access to rapid, actionable insights to make timely treatment decisions critical for successful patient outcomes.
Huginn Sonography (Roanoke, VA)
Huginn Sonography is working to create a wearable, continuous ultrasound bladder scanner that can reliably and accurately measure bladder volume. The scanner will support caregivers of patients with urinary retention and other bladder impairment issues by promoting proactive toileting and averting bladder stretch injury and long-term consequences.
Currently, care providers use periodic, rather than continuous, bladder scanning resulting in low bladder scanning compliance. A continuous scanner with alters or push notifications will result in a greater compliance rate and decrease the potential for adverse patient events around toileting safety including falls and bladder stretch injury, as well as the potential for adverse events related to catheterization such as urinary tract infections.
Modern Reproduction (Roanoke, VA)
The mission of Modern Reproduction is to provide resources and information to anyone who wants to learn more about genetic testing options available for reproduction in the 21st century available before, during, and after pregnancy.
Modern Reproduction aims to empower people to comfortably and confidently make decisions about their reproduction including the decision not to have any genetic testing through accurate and easily accessible information.
NebulaNeuro (Roanoke, VA)
NebulaNeuro has developed the first ever technology that allows neurotransmitter measurements to be taken in humans. Their technology has applications for movement disorders which are diseases of neurotransmitters systems. There is currently not a cure for movement disorders and deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most common treatments. Neurosurgeons use anatomical scans and electrophysiological measures to place clinical DBS electrodes– and placement is key in order to decrease symptoms. However, DBS does not treat all symptoms of these disorders. Furthermore, this treatment eventually stops working and stimulation parameters must be changed to keep the treatment viable. By measuring neurotransmitters, it is likely DBS electrodes can be better anatomically placed and the stimulation parameters better tuned, increasing efficacy and covering more symptoms.
NebulaNeuro has developed a first-of-its-kind technology that enables the measurement of neurotransmitters in awake, conscious humans– creating opportunities to not only better diagnose and treat brain diseases but also to more uniquely understand the human condition.
Pod Farms (Pulaski, VA)
Pod Farms has developed and patented a new type of modular hydroponic system that can be used in commercial grow operations, community grow centers, and by home hobbyists in our beta tester program. Our patented feature has a special water inlet that can integrate automated harvest, seeding and cleaning in large scale operations.
They offer commercial growing and CEA expertise and partner with small to large scall growing operations on a variety of projects including product testing, hydroponic management, and product integration. They also conduct outreach into the community helping integrate hydroponics into school and community projects, and support hobbyist gardeners grow their own food.
QlutchQMS (Roanoke, VA)
QlutchQMS is a quality management software company offering modern, intuitive, and cost-effective eQMS designed for small and midsized businesses. They empower regulated organizations with seamless document control and a growing suite of QMS modules that make compliance effortless—without the complexity or high costs of legacy systems.
Built for accessibility and efficiency, QlutchQMS enables teams to create, review, and manage documents with ease, featuring in-app editing, advanced review workflows, AI-powered summaries, and built-in compliance tracking.
About RAMP
Since its founding in 2017, RAMP – the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program serving western and central Virginia – has accelerated 55 companies that have collectively created 850+ new jobs and sell products and services to all U.S. states and internationally.