Opening Spring 2026 in Roanoke, Virginia, RoVa Labs at Carilion Clinic will be downtown Roanoke’s flagship incubator for life-science innovation. The facility bridges the gap between academia and industry, helping startups transform groundbreaking research into commercial solutions. With strategic partnerships, modern labs, and a thriving community, RoVa Labs is where health innovation takes root.
Our Mission
RoVa Labs empowers life-science innovators with the space, tools, and community to accelerate discovery from concept to commercialization. We provide turnkey labs, hands-on support, and direct access to clinical and research partners that help transform ideas into impact.
Turnkey Space & Shared Core Facilities
RoVa Labs is designed for speed and compliance so you can focus on science.
- Private and open wet-lab suites (BSL-2-ready) with benching, sinks, gas/vacuum, and emergency systems
- Shared equipment: biological safety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, shaker/incubators, refrigerated centrifuges, -80°C/-20°C freezers, cold room, water purification, and basic analytical tools
- Prototyping & med-device support: light fabrication bench, small-form 3D printing for jigs/fixtures, and intros to certified contract manufacturers in the region (see Ecosystem)
- Team space: furnished offices, huddle rooms, event lounge, phone rooms
- Operational support: biohazardous/regulated waste streams, chemical inventory templates, EHS onboarding, and SOP starter pack
Membership Options
Flexible membership tiers allow teams to scale from single-bench research to private lab suites with dedicated offices. Each plan includes access to shared equipment, mentorship, and collaboration programs tailored to early-stage companies. RoVa Labs ensures every member, regardless of size, benefits from a supportive, world-class environment that encourages growth.
Bench Membership
Flexible monthly access to shared lab + equipment
Private Lab Suite
Lockable BSL-2-ready suite for 4–10 scientists
Resident Company
Lab + dedicated office + venture services bundle
Affiliate
Access to programming, community, and select shared resources
Floor Plans
Why Roanoke? Why Now?
Roanoke is one of the Southeast’s most dynamic health-innovation centers, driven by collaboration between Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion. (VTC)
Clinical Reach
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is one of the region’s leading hospitals, steps from the VTC campus and minutes from downtown.
Research Power
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is one of the region’s leading hospitals, steps from the VTC campus and minutes from downtown.
Growing Talent & Firms
The Roanoke Region counts ~300 life-science firms employing 41,000+ people, spanning biotech, clinical, and medical devices—momentum your startup can tap on day one.
Get In Touch
Want to learn more about RoVa Labs? Reach out to Devin Zitelman for more information.
Devin Zitelman
301.873.6700
dzitelman@scheerpartners.com
