RISE and RAMP Launch Program to Help Agricultural, Forestry, and Rural Innovators Reach the Marketplace

New RAMP Up accelerator program will help innovators turn ideas into products, businesses, and real-world solutions

SOUTH BOSTON, VA – July 9, 2026 – RISE (Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs) and RAMP (Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program) today announced RAMP Up, a new commercialization accelerator program for agricultural, forestry, and rural innovators in Southern Virginia. The program is funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and VIPC (Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation), and combines RISE’s regional network, an initiative of the SOVA Innovation Hub, with RAMP’s decade of commercialization experience through the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA).

The program welcomes startups, existing businesses, researchers, and innovators working in agriculture, forestry, food systems, animal sciences, natural resources, advanced manufacturing, automation, sustainability, rural technology, and related industries.

Over eight weeks, participants will work with experienced entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry experts to validate customer needs, evaluate market opportunities, refine business models, and develop commercialization strategies. There is no cost to participate in RAMP Up.

Each team that successfully completes the program will be eligible for grants up to $10,000 to support commercialization activities such as product development, pilot projects, customer validation, or other approved business growth expenses. These are non-dilutive grants, meaning that the company does not give up any ownership in exchange for this funding.

Graduates will also be connected to additional entrepreneurship and accelerator opportunities through RAMP, RISE, and other regional partners based on their stage of growth.

Program sessions will be hosted on eight consecutive Mondays, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, September 21 through November 9, with seven in-person sessions at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia and one virtual session.

Applicants must be existing Virginia businesses or committed to establishing business operations in Virginia. To be eligible, businesses must be located in one of the following localities:

• Cities: Covington, Danville, Emporia, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem
• Counties: 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 incorporated towns in these eligible counties are also welcome to apply.

This partnership will help more innovators move from concept to company while strengthening Southern Virginia’s innovation economy.

“Southern Virginia has a long history of innovation rooted in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, and rural enterprise,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for the SOVA Innovation Hub and Program Director for RISE. “Through this partnership with RAMP, we are creating new opportunities for innovators to connect with experts, test ideas, and explore pathways to bring new products and solutions to market. We want to help great ideas become businesses, jobs, and economic opportunities for our region.”

“Many innovations never reach the marketplace because innovators lack access to commercialization support,” said Chip Bobbert, Director of Innovation at the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, the entity that operates RAMP. “RAMP Up is designed to bridge that gap by helping innovators understand customers, markets, partnerships, and commercialization pathways before they enter a full accelerator program.”

RISE and RAMP thank the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, VIPC, and regional partners for their continued support of entrepreneurship and innovation across Southern Virginia.

Applications for the inaugural Fall 2026 cohort are open now with a deadline of September 3, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://sovarise.com/ramp-up

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Media Contacts

• RAMP and RBIA: Ada Cuadrado-Medina, ada.cuadrado-medina@rbtc.tech
• RISE and SOVA Innovation Hub: Liz Smith, liz.smith@sovainnovationhub.com

About RISE

RISE (Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs) is a regional entrepreneurship initiative serving Southern Virginia and Franklin County. Managed by the SOVA Innovation Hub in partnership with Longwood’s Small Business Development Center and regional ecosystem partners, RISE helps entrepreneurs connect with resources, training, mentors, and opportunities to start and grow businesses.

About RAMP

RAMP (Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program), operated by the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA), helps entrepreneurs launch and grow innovative companies through mentorship, commercialization support, accelerator programming, and connections to customers, investors, and industry partners.

SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus

The Hub @ 801 will feature a Fab Lab, podcast studio, coworking spaces, and flexible meeting space

SOUTH BOSTON, VA — January 20, 2026 — The SOVA Innovation Hub announced today that renovation work is underway on The Hub @ 801, a major expansion of its downtown South Boston campus. The project extends the organization’s footprint beyond its flagship building at 715 Wilborn Avenue and includes a full renovation of the adjacent 12,000 square foot property at 801 Wilborn Avenue, formerly home to the South Boston Fire Company Support Center.

The Hub @ 801 will expand the SOVA Innovation Hub’s capacity to serve entrepreneurs, students, businesses, and community members across Southern Virginia. The renovated facility will feature flexible coworking areas, private offices, and two large meeting rooms that can be combined into an event space accommodating up to 148 people. Additional amenities will include a podcast studio to support content creation and storytelling, as well as the SOVA Fab Lab (short for Fabrication Laboratory), a regional makerspace and digital fabrication facility.

The SOVA Fab Lab is being developed in partnership with the Fab Foundation, a Boston-based nonprofit that supports Fab Labs worldwide. As part of a global network of more than 3,000 Fab Labs, the SOVA Fab Lab will connect Southern Virginia to an international community of technologists, makers, educators, and innovators through virtual training and information sharing. The facility will offer advanced digital fabrication tools—including 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining—to support workforce development, entrepreneurship, and applied learning. A dedicated Fab Lab Manager will be hired in Spring 2026 to lead the launch and ongoing growth of the makerspace.

“This expansion represents the next chapter in our work to contribute to a thriving innovation ecosystem for Southern Virginia,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for MBC and the SOVA Innovation Hub. “The resources that will be available at The Hub @ 801 will empower people of all ages and experience levels to imagine, design, and build innovative products and solutions.”

The renovation project is partially funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and Mid‑Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC), with construction financing from Benchmark Community Bank. Funding for Fab Lab equipment and startup operations is provided by grants from Microsoft and GO Virginia Region 3. GO Virginia is a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.

Renovation work will be completed by J.E. Burton Construction, with architectural design and construction administration led by the Richmond‑based firm PSH+.

Additional information and project updates are available at www.sovainnovationhub.com/.

New Toastmasters Meeting Location Forming at the SOVA Innovation Hub

Thursday, August 1, 2025 – South Boston, VA – A new Toastmasters meeting location is forming at the SOVA Innovation Hub to help local professionals and community members strengthen their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. As the only active Toastmasters club in the area, the Danville Toastmasters Club is teaming up with the SOVA Innovation Hub to expand access and extend the reach of the Toastmasters International program. The new meeting location will serve the Southern Virginia region, meeting twice a month at the SOVA Innovation Hub, located at 715 Wilborn Avenue in downtown South Boston.

The new meeting location is supported by Toastmasters International’s Area 11 leadership and is part of an effort to expand access to professional development opportunities in the Southern Virginia region. It is open to adults aged 18 and older of all backgrounds and experience levels who are interested in building confidence and improving their communication skills in a welcoming, supportive environment.

“Toastmasters is a great organization for helping people develop public speaking skills and is excellent overall for personal development and networking,” said Keith Washo, SOVA Innovation Hub coworking member and volunteer leader for the SOVA Innovation Hub Toastmasters meeting location. “I’m excited to team up with the other leaders to be a founding member of the Toastmasters meeting location in South Boston, VA.”

“Toastmasters has provided me with a safe place to practice presenting and leadership skills. The increase in my self-confidence, listening retention, and feedback skills has impacted my life in ways I never imagined,” said Venus Wilmer, Toastmasters International member, District 66, Area 11 Director, and Secretary for Danville Toastmasters club. “I look forward to working with the SOVA Innovation Hub team and Danville club leaders to start this new meeting location and support the community members in South Boston and Halifax County.”

The club is currently welcoming new members and hosting interest meetings to introduce the Toastmasters program to the community. Two kickoff meetings will be held at the SOVA Innovation Hub on Thursday, September 11, 12pm to 1pm and Thursday, September 25, 12pm to 1pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet experienced Toastmasters members, learn more about how Toastmasters works, and get involved in shaping the club’s future.

“We’re excited to host this new Toastmasters meeting location at the SOVA Innovation Hub as part of our mission to support personal and professional growth in our region. Toastmasters offers a proven framework for building essential leadership and communication skills that benefit entrepreneurs, business professionals, and community leaders alike. It’s a perfect fit for our coworking community and the broader ecosystem we serve,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement, SOVA Innovation Hub & Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation.

To learn more or to register to attend a kickoff meeting in September at the SOVA Innovation Hub, visit sovainnovationhub.com/toastmasters-kickoff.

About SOVA Innovation Hub

The SOVA Innovation Hub is a nonprofit organization working to spark economic transformation in Southern Virginia by advancing digital skills and entrepreneurship. Located in South Boston, VA, it provides coworking, training, and collaborative space, and serves as a lead partner for RISE Collaborative. Learn more at sovainnovationhub.com.

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a nonprofit educational organization that helps people become more effective communicators and leaders. With over 16,000 clubs worldwide, Toastmasters empowers millions to speak confidently and lead with purpose. By joining, you can improve your public speaking skills, build confidence in communication, gain leadership experience, and connect with local professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members. Learn more at toastmasters.org.

Media Contacts:

Liz Smith | SOVA Innovation Hub | hello@sovainnovationhub.com

Venus Wilmer | Toastmasters Area 11 Director | venuswilmer@gmail.com

Keith Washo | Toastmasters Member | keithwasho@gmail.com

Pictured Above: Danielle Remmick of gener8tor Skills (far left, first row) pictured with program completers at the SOVA Innovation Hub

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator is a virtual rapid-skilling program designed to equip individuals with in-demand skills for local or remote job opportunities. Nationally, more than 3,200 individuals have completed from the program since 2020, with an 82% graduation rate and 63% job placement rate within six months. In Southern Virginia, the program has run 13 cohorts, serving 173 participants, with a 70% placement rate and an average starting salary of $60,802.

Program completers earn a gener8tor Skills certificate, industry-recognized credentials, and receive personalized job placement support. The program is made possible by grants, workforce innovation initiatives, and corporate sponsorships from partners like Microsoft.

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator continues to drive economic opportunity by helping individuals thrive in high-growth industries. Learn more and apply at https://sovainnovationhub.com/gener8tor-skills/

To read this article as it originally appeared on the EDA website, click here.

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million to Support Business and Job Growth in South Boston, Virginia

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia, to bolster small business development in the region.

This grant will support building renovation to create a digital maker space, community gathering space and co-working offices. This EDA investment will be matched with $492,389 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 130 jobs, and generate $1.1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is providing communities with the resources they need to boost local businesses and create jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide site redevelopment and infrastructure improvements to support local business development and bring new industries to the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local business growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will address the urgent need for economic equity by breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship through increased access to technology, networks, training, and workforce skills.”

“This grant will foster small business development in Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Investing in the economies of local communities, such as South Boston, helps strengthen our Commonwealth as a whole.”

“I’ve seen firsthand how the SOVA Innovation Hub has revitalized South Boston’s economy, training a skilled workforce and bringing high-paying jobs to Southside Virginia,” said Senator Mark Warner. “I am thrilled to see federal funding continue to support the business growth of the region, and the partnerships fostered by the facility.”

“I’m glad to see this funding will bolster the SOVA Innovation Hub’s important work to support small businesses and create jobs in South Boston,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “I will keep working with the community and local leaders to promote economic development in Southside.”

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.