Blog The journey of RAMP: Learning the gas and brakes to accelerate

The journey of RAMP: Learning the gas and brakes to accelerate
by Megan Steele

A window into the experience behind the conception, launch, and execution of RAMP – Research and Market Pathways at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and CGIAR .

Download the report summary on CGSpace, below.

In December 2025, the scientists who were part of the inaugural RAMP-Accelerate cohort reached their apex moment: the presentation of a polished pitch deck, cashflow, and venture summary. As they presented their deliverables, they used a new language and presented their work through a different lens, one much more market-oriented than scientists are typically accustomed to. These deliverables represented the culmination of a much longer journey: the development and implementation of the full RAMP – Research and Market Pathways program.

Starting back in 2021, the Accelerate for Impact Platform had already been advocating for an internal incubator for Alliance/CGIAR research products. While initiatives existed to connect scientists with external innovation ecosystems, none were explicitly focused on embedding the principles of entrepreneurship within the mindsets and activities of the scientists themselves. This ambition led to A4IP’s concept of an internal acceleration program, later named RAMP, through which Alliance/CGIAR scientists would be equipped with the training and connections needed to valorize their agri-food and climate research outputs.

Acceleration is the keyword, and the hallmark of the journey itself. There was fuel in the tank: strong leadership support and clear demand from scientists. Especially given the dramatic change in the development funding landscape, the need to pursue new funding and delivery mechanisms for research had become acute. But the brakes were still on: this was new territory. It remained unclear which mechanisms the organization would need to pursue translational research, and how to seize the opportunity of venturing without compromising the research-for-development ethos.

Thanks to the generous support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, aligned with its mission of translating research advances into tangible technologies that serve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the agri-food sector, and to the expertise of our partners and advisors, we had the key elements needed to accelerate our work.

 

"This is the start of a journey for the Alliance to begin exploring other ways of delivering impact with our research... especially at this moment in the world when traditional funding for science is changing. There is a lot of uncertainty, but at the same time, there is a strong need for science-based innovations to serve the agricultural and food sector overall,” Marcela Quintero, at RAMP-Accelerate Bootcamp Venture Showcase, July 3 in Palmira, Colombia

 

Conception and design 

In early 2022, A4IP began conducting research across Alliance/CGIAR’s scaling and innovation communities to understand what scientists and leaders saw as the key enablers and bottlenecks in valorizing their research. Innovators within Alliance/CGIAR operated within a different incentive structure than private entrepreneurs. Many supported research accelerators in principle, but had limited time, resources, and institutional recognition for entrepreneurial activities.

A4IP recognized that an internal acceleration program would need to be designed specifically to accommodate the starting mindsets and capabilities of its scientists. The institution could not simply replicate methodologies that worked for external entrepreneurs. The right match was a partnership with Kindling Ventures, whose experience working with academics proved critical. Market pathways for scaling had to be reframed as tools to enhance impact while enabling research to become more self-sustaining, with reduced reliance on grants.

Strong engagement with the external innovation ecosystem was also essential. Without alignment with corporations, investors, and regulators, the effort would have limited impact. A4IP assembled an agri-food industry Advisory Committee and project partners who provided key strategic guidance and rigorous evaluation of applicant innovations.

Implementation 

The first stage, RAMP-Discover, offered open webinars encouraging scientists to frame their research in new ways and identify new audiences. Discover ultimately reached participants from nine CGIAR research centers across 26 countries. RAMP-Launch followed in February 2025: progressive workshops ending in final presentations. Fifty-four scientists participated, and twelve groups presented innovations applying what they learned about identifying audiences, evaluating impact potential, and assessing business models.

RAMP-Accelerate was the most intensive stage: a months-long, selective accelerator program for innovations based in the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. A competitive call followed by rigorous industry-expert evaluation resulted in a cohort of nine innovations. The cohort began with a three-day intensive bootcamp in Cali, Colombia. Teams were pushed beyond their comfort zone, presenting rapid pitch decks at a Venture Showcase. What followed was 10+ weeks of structured training, bilateral venture management, and extensive deliverables. Teams refined value propositions, mapped stakeholders, conducted market validation, and developed business models.

What’s next 

What were the results of this experience?

Find a summary of the project outcomes and profiles of the teams involved in the now published report on CGSpace:
 

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT SUMMARY ON CGSPACE

 

Next for the teams is continued post-acceleration support, designed to strengthen their solutions as they pursue market-facing partnerships and further venturing opportunities. Later this year, the cohort will also step onto a global stage to present their solutions to an audience of agri-food industry leaders.

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