Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council alliance partner Verge is requesting proposals to develop a name and brand for a shared wet-lab space in Roanoke.
Project Background
Born out of a need to translate Virginia Tech research into commercial potential, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) was established in Blacksburg in 1985 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Virginia Tech Foundation. Since then, it has been home to over 750 premier organizations with a common goal to disrupt industries. Today, with operations across Virginia, the VTCRC supports various regional technology clusters and continues to be a destination for growth and a space with purpose.
VTCRC is spearheading a collaborative project to provide shared laboratories and coworking space in Roanoke, Virginia. Partners include Carilion Clinic, the City of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College, and The Verge Alliance, which includes the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council and RAMP, a regional tech business accelerator.
Positioned on the Roanoke Innovation Corridor, the approximately 42,000 sf building is intended to create an opportunity for inclusive economic growth through the development of an integrated biotech ecosystem centered at the facility. This building is nearby Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and Carilion Roanoke Memorial hospital. The goal of the labs is to leverage existing infrastructure, programming, and diverse talent to create a self-sustaining integrated set of regional capabilities that will foster growth of existing biotech companies as well as enrich the pipeline of new startups. In addition, this project will create opportunities for high quality jobs through a rich talent development program with regional universities and community colleges.
Virginia is home to a growing community of over 300 life science companies, nurtured by resources from the state and expertise from its many universities and research institutions. This year, Governor Glenn Younkin announced more than $66 million in state grants for innovative projects within the Biotechnology, Life Science, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Cluster, which includes the share lab facility in Roanoke.
Roanoke’s Innovation Corridor has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. Today, Roanoke has attracted thousands of the top researchers, physicians, faculty, students, and medical professionals who are each motivated by the opportunity to make meaningful discoveries that broaden our knowledge of clinical care and biomedical science.
Project Overview
The VTCRC desires to establish a name and logo to be utilized in marketing and building a strong brand identity and awareness of the lab. The VTCRC is seeking a creative, qualified graphic designer, design firm, or agency to help create a name, graphic logo, and possibly additional services relating to the new building. Proposed taglines could be suggested as part of the name and logo design but is not a requirement of this RFP.
Target Customers
- Researchers needing private commercial lab space away from their state-funded academic labs
- Regional entrepreneurs wanting to work at a biotech hub with like-minded people
- Regional stakeholders needing a facility to forward regional life science industry initiatives
- Companies wishing to move or have a footprint in Roanoke with access to Carilion Clinic, FBRI, and/or Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg Campus
Request for Quote
- The budget for this contract is $20,000 for labor of services from the winning entry.
Scope of Work
- Work with project collaborators to generate a name for the building
- Develop a logo
- Develop a unified brand / style guide
Submission Guidelines
- Demonstration of Life Science Industry knowledge
- Demonstration of Roanoke Economic Development Knowledge
- Understanding of the building intention and scope of work
- Cost
- Digital copies to info@rbtc.tech or mailed to 709 S. Jefferson Street Suite 3 Roanoke, VA 24016 (delivered by February 23, 2024).
