The wisest explorers make sure to take a look at a map before their journey. Or at the very least, have one handy.
When diving into a startup or tech ecosystem, it can be helpful to have a map, too, and that's what we want this "Ecosystem at a Glance" document to serve as: a starting place, on-boarding tool and refresher for those new to and familiar with the city's innovation economy. At the very least, it will help you sound like you know your stuff at your next meetup.
Below, you'll find basic insights into the startup and tech community in the Ocean State ecosystem — everything from its biggest companies to universities, as well as the Twitter handles for those area thought leaders whose news
For comprehensive information on Rhode Island coworking spaces, funding opportunities and more, check out our Guides section here for a full suite of additional resources.
Big Companies of Note
- ALEX & ANI (2004) | "Alex and Ani is a highly differentiated, affordable fashion jewelry, and lifestyle brand."
- APC by Schneider Electric (1981) | "For nearly four decades, APC has become the industry-standard for reliable power and physical IT infrastructure."
- Citizens Bank (1828) | "As the 13th largest retail bank in the United States, we deliver a broad range of financial services to over five million individuals, companies, not for profits and institutions."
- CVS Health (1963) | "We are a health care innovation company with a simple and clear purpose: Helping people on their path to better health."
- eMoney - Providence Office (2001) "eMoney Advisor Pennsylvania-based wealth planning system for financial advisors."
- FM Global (1835) | "FM Global provides commercial property insurance and business continuity solutions worldwide."
- Hasbro (1977) | "Hasbro is engaged in providing children’s and family leisure time products with a range of portfolio of brands and entertainment."
- Nortek (1967) | "Nortek, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of residential and commercial building products primarily in the United States, Canada, and Europe."
- Textron (1955) | "Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years."
- United Natural Foods (1978) | "UNFI is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products."
- Virgin Pulse (2004) | "Virgin Pulse, part of the famed Virgin Group, is passionate about inspiring and engaging employees to live better every day."
Startups to Know
- Aquanis (2015) | "Aquanis aims to reduce the cost of wind energy by improving the aerodynamic performance of wind turbines."
- BetaXAnalytics | "BetaXAnalytics leverages the latest technology, clinical and economic expertise to help employers, payers and providers to make data-driven decisions and to better manage contracts."
- Brian Jepsen | "Content Manager, Product Design, Manufacturing, & AEC for LinkedIn Learning. @ProvidenceGeeks and @PVDMakerFaire co-organizer."
- Datarista (2015) | "PaaS for the sales and marketing data industry."
- Dockwa (2014) | "Dockwa is a platform that connects boaters and marinas for all of their reservation needs."
- EpiVax (1998) | "EpiVax is an immunology company developing comprehensive analytical capabilities in the field of computational immunology."
- Feast & Fettle (2016) | "Feast & Fettle is a gourmet meal delivery service for affluent families and professionals whose mission is to bring 21st century households back to the dinner table."
- GoPeer (2017) "GoPeer is a platform that connects K-12 students with vetted college undergraduates for in-person and online tutoring lessons."
- Legably (2016) | "Flexible, on-demand legal staffing that matches attorneys looking for work with attorneys looking for short-term help."
- Maternova (2009) | "Maternova is a global marketplace and online community for ideas, technologies, and devices that help save mothers and newborns."
- Medley Genomics | "Medley Genomics is the first company dedicated to addressing the challenges of genomic heterogeneity in the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases."
- Mighty Well (2016) | "The mission of Mighty Well is to help patients and their caregivers turn sickness into strength. We are leading the global charge that changes the perception of patients from victims to fighters."
- MindImmune Therapeutics (2016) | "MindImmune Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company that develops drugs which treat diseases of the central nervous system."
- Premama (2012) | "Premama provides a prenatal vitamin drink for healthier babies and happier mothers."
- Siren Marine (2011) | "Connected Boat Technology. Monitor, track, control and secure your vessel anytime, anywhere."
- Splitwise (2011) | "Keep track of your shared expenses and balances with housemates, trips, groups, friends and family."
- Sproutel (2012) | "At Sproutel, they make toys that help children newly diagnosed with a chronic illness learn and cope through play!"
- SquadLocker (2015) | "SquadLocker is an innovative 'one-stop' resource capable of outfitting your entire team."
- TextUp | "TextUp enables social work agencies and nonprofits to foster strong client relationships built on consistent communication and reliable follow-up."
- Upserve (2011) | "Upserve is the smart management assistant that puts everything restaurateurs need to know in one place."
- Vitae Solutions (2014) | "Vitae Industries offers affordable pharmacy compounding automation solutions."
- Vizsafe (2014) | "Vizsafe is the first decentralized network that crowdsources safety through blockchain incentives."
- WhatsGood (2014) | "WhatsGood is a developer of a cloud based food ordering platform."
AREA HIGHER EDUCATION
Local Tech and Startup Thought Leaders (And entities worth following)
It’s hard to make an all-encompassing list of those folks who are leading the charge within Rhody’s tech ecosystem. But we’ve made a start by assembling some below, including their Twitter handle and bio. They’re folks whose perspective can widen yours. American journalist Margaret Fuller said it best: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
- Adam Alpert | "CEO and Co-Founder @ Pangea.app // Brown University '17 // Advocate for Rhode Island"
- Alex (PVD) | "Journalist. EiC @Crunchbasenews. Co-host: Equity with @TechCrunch. Just married @lizaswagner. alex@crunchbase.com."
- Arnell Milhouse | "Inventor, developer, CEO/co-Founder @CareerDevs | Dracodess | Entrepreneur In Residence @ Brown Univ | @TEDx & @GoogleTalks #speaker. #SiliconRhode."
- Chandra Briggman | " Dir. @VentureCafe & @VencafePVD. Founder @WideAngleMedia & @ipatronne. @chanbrig tweets on tech, startups, innovation & circular society."
- CIC Providence | "Building an innovation community in Providence."
Dana Borrelli-Murray | "Executive Director of the Highlander Institute. Driven by anthropology, education policy, street bands and side ponytails. @HighlanderInst."
David Dadekian | "President Eat Drink RI; RI Foundation Innovation Fellow; Past Chair RI Food Policy Council; writer/photographer; PR Director Blackbird Farm; husband & father." ecoRI News | "Environmental news for southern New England. Stay informed. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at ecori.org/read." Emily Levy | "24 year old CEO. Lyme/POTS/CIDP Warrior. Professional Patient. All Around Boss-Lady." Ethan Binder | "Study smart with a peer tutor." Innovate Newport | "Coworking for innovators. Modern coworking located in the heart of Newport's Innovation District | Built for Resiliency." Laurie White | "Business advocate @provchamber; innovation economy enthusiast; believer in power of responsible journalism; small biz and family-owned biz a passion of mine." Kiara Butler | "social entrepreneur. innovator. keynote speaker. ceo & founder of @diversity_talks." Lisa Carnevale | "communication and strategy, founder creative organizations, passionate about cities, growth, design, art and innovation | ed
Matt Totora | "Father-Chef-Co-Founder & CEO @CraveFS - US Navy Vet-Generating REAL food system change. @SourceWhatsGood proponent of Farm-school." Melissa Withers | "RevUp Managing Director, startup ladyboss, lover of curious conditions, science geek. Still awkward after all these years." Neil Steinberg | "President & CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation; enthusiastic supporter of RI." New England BIO | "The regional policy and public affairs voice for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry in New England." Nick Inglis | "Info expert, keynote, author; Exec Director, Content & Programming, @ARMA_INT. #RIpromise #OpinionsMine he/him/his." Pat Sabatino | "CEO Datarista. Innovator. Type 1 Diabetic. Voice of common sense. Striving to be the world's best dad to my A student, hockey playing kids. Work is @datarista." Patrice Milos | "Medley Genomics - Founder/CEO - A mom - a scientist - passionate about using genomics to unravel the complexity of human disease and changing medical care." Rajiv Kumar, MD | "President & Chief Medical Officer of Virgin Pulse. Founder & CEO of ShapeUp (acquired by Virgin Pulse). Proud @BrownUniversity alum x 2. Opinions are my own." Shannon Shallcross | "CEO at @BetaXAnalytics on a mission to use the power of data "for good" to drive health care reform." Sierra Barter | "Feminist, founded @ladyprojectorg, social media manager at
@AAANortheast, barre instructor + TEDx speaker. I really like dogs. sierra@sierra-barter.com."
Social Enterprise Greenhouse | "We support social entrepreneurs and enterprises with the tools and networks they need to thrive." Theresa Moore | "Entrepreneur, director/producer, professor, educational publisher." Thorne Sparkman Tino Chow | Designer, Entrepreneur, Trouble Maker: Founder of Giant Shoulders, Board @provgranola, co-founder @BetterxDesign, TEDFellow, cyclist, Jesus follower." Travis J. Escobar | "Founder & Prez of @MillennialRI, Community Advocate, #ChooseRI (Views & opinions are my own, duh...)." Tuni Shartner | "Economic Gardener/Passionate RI based Mktg. & Business Development Consultant - Helping Companies Grow from the Inside Out & the Outside In!" WaterFire Providence | "WaterFire Providence is an independent, nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence & its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience."
