Photo Credit: Salt, Getty Images.
It's hard to believe that Rhode Island Inno is celebrating its third class of Inno on Fire winners. Time does fly when you're having fun.
If this is your first exposure to what the Inno on Fire awards are, here's a quick primer: It's a list (and subsequent event) that look to acknowledge the startups, companies, entrepreneurs and other organizations that bolster the local tech and startup community.
There are a number of metrics that help measure what makes someone (or something) "on fire." Scale, an official launch, a big funding round, a new product, etc. Even consistent excellence counts, as you'll read below.
These rather wide goalposts mean that the 2020 list —and the ones that came before it — boasts a wide range of companies, in different stages and industries. Not only is it an interesting collection of some of the state's best and brightest, but it's also an impressive reflection of the ecosystem's health and potential.
Winners were culled from the results of a nomination process and insight generated from the Rhody Inno editorial team.
We'll continue to celebrate these winners by publishing the stories behind their work, from now until the awards celebration we’re hosting on Feb. 12, 2020 (tickets are on sale now).
The event will run the fun gamut: networking, food and drink and an opportunity to revel in the big things the Rhody startup ecosystem has accomplished in the past year. In the meantime, we will have a panel of judges selecting the Inno Blazers, our category winners, which will be announced live at the Inno on Fire awards.
And now, we’re pleased to announce our third list of Inno on Fire award winners.
Buppy Pets. Courtesy photo.
Food and Drink
- Buppy Pets: Humans aren't the only things that eat. Their dogs do, too. And sometimes, it can be hard to tell a beloved pet that no, they cannot partake in the family's pizza. Enter Buppy Pets, a line of snacks with four ingredients meant for humans and dogs to share. In 2019, the company partnered with WhatsGood, and can now be bought on the latter's app. Its products were named one of the "Best in Rhode Island" by "Rhode Island Monthly." It participated in MassChallenge Rhode Island. And the startup received considerable attention from media outlets throughout the state, such as "The Rhode Island Show" and "Providence Monthly."
- Feast & Fettle: Where to begin with the year Feast & Fettle, a local meal delivery service, had? 2019 included expanding its services to Massachusetts and opening its first commercial kitchen. The company became profitable, with a run rate of more than $1 million and a doubling of its year-over-year revenue from 2019. Feast & Fettle isn't sitting on its laurels after all those accomplishments, however. There are plans to launch its second kitchen in the new year.
- Hometown Poke: The story of Hometown Poke is one that makes you feel a little lazy when you hear it. Founded by two former members of the corporate world, the business started as a food truck that, in the span of 2019, gained so much traction that it evolved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant to keep up with the demand. The move hasn't eradicated the truck though, which will still find its way to food festivals and other events across the state into the new year.
- WhatsGood: It's been a monumental three years since WhatsGood's 2017 debut. The virtual farmers' market expanded into Massachusetts with a host of new relationships fueled by picky New England farmers. It’s been a monumental three years since WhatsGood’s 2017 debut. The virtual farmers’ expanded into Massachusetts with a host of new relationships fueled by picky New England farmers. That's not to mention concluding a $6.9 million seed round (as well as winning a Rhody Inno Blazer category award).
The SeaAhead Global Bluetech Summit underway. Photo Credit: Shana Wittenwyler.
Ocean and Agriculture (Environmental Science)
- Aquanis: Considered an innovator in cleantech, Aquanis works to improve the aerodynamics of wind turbines. In 2019, it won a $1 million SBIR Phase II grant for the purpose of developing a new turbine blade coating, which will better protect the structures from lightning. Additionally, the company received an ARPA-E award to host a "cutting-edge consortium" of wind energy leaders.
- Dockwa: Dockwa is hardly a stranger to headlines in the Ocean State (and beyond), but for the unfamiliar, it's a company that allows boaters to reserve marina spots via an app. It's used in 30 states across the U.S., as well as additional countries; boasts $3.5 million in angel funding; and in 2019, it reached a major milestone: engaging 1,000 marina customers.
- SeaAhead: As Rhode Island Inno wrote about SeaAhead when it launched in 2018, the bluetech-focused organization "wears many hats, and wears them well." In essence, it hosts events, promotes mentorship and educational opportunities and incubates organizations within the bluetech sector. In 2019, SeaAhead took its work a step forward by hosting its first-ever Global BlueTech Summit in New York City. The theme was "Next Generation Bluetech," which examined what the future could hold for innovation in the industry. High-profile speakers, such as keynote Victor Vescovo (founder of Five Deeps Expedition) and Vikki Spruill (CEO of the New England Aquarium), were among those sharing insights during the two-day program this past October.
Photo Courtesy Universal Promise.
Education and Government
- GoPeer: GoPeer, a tutoring and learning platform, makes its third round on the On Fire list because of its substantial growth trajectory since its establishment in 2017. The past year has been its most expansive yet. It gained nearly 2,000 customers in 2019 alone, bringing the total number of users to more than 7,500. This summer, it closed an oversubscribed financing round of $265,000, with participation from Deborah Quazzo, managing partner at San Francisco-based GSV AcceleraTE, and Slater Technology Fund.
- KANU: Founded by two University of Rhode Island juniors, KANU is an app-based, peer-to-peer network that aims to help other URI students get their own concepts off the ground. It made its debut this year, after concluding campus interviews to insure the final product served users' specific needs.
- Universal Promise: The reach of the Rhode Island tech and startup ecosystem is far, and Universal Promise, a nonprofit that brings educational and professional services, is just one organization that illustrates it. Working primarily in South Africa, Universal Promise has built two schools, provided student leadership workshops and health education and established a state-of-the-art computer lab.
- Vadati VR: Created by then-high school senior Sree Dasari 2018, Vadati VR helps users practice public speaking using virtual reality. Now a freshman at Babson, Dasari hasn't let the first year of college to keep her from furthering her work. In 2019, she worked to build out her team; had her research reviewed by Harvard's Journal for Emerging Investigators for eventual publication; updated her website; and began crowdfunding.
Photo Courtesy Ageless Innovation.
Design and Media
- Ageless Innovation/Joy for All: A spinout of Hasbro, Ageless Innovation and its Joy for All brand develops toys, like its robotic pets, and other products for older adults. In 2019, the company won the Caregiver Friendly Award and the Dementia SMART Award. Currently, researchers from groups like United Healthcare and the AARP (as well as universities and hospitals) are studying how Joy for All's offerings are impacting its clients — those living alone, the elderly or suffering from dementia and other related illnesses. That's not all: Founder Tom Canterino made Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in the consumer technology category.
- ARMS: Known fully as "Art to Reduce Mental Stigma," the startup began two years ago at Brown University. Users who want to marry the pursuit of mental health with their interest in the arts can log on to the ARMS app, where they're provided the proper resources to create an art-based event that is composed of three elements: performance; attendee creation and discussion on mental health issues; and sharing. The nonprofit has built a robust infrastructure since its inception, with 18 partnerships with local artists and businesses, 40 volunteers and more than 20 events under its belt. A fully sustainable social enterprise, ARMS is in the process of raising an additional $75,000 for expansion (NYC, Los Angeles), establishing a fund for financial assistance, and staff payroll.
- Artisans List: While some tech ecosystems are one-trick ponies, Rhode Island's is diverse, with startups and entrepreneurs representing a full spectrum of different industries. Artisans List is helping to further put the Rhode Island design scene on the map. It's a self-described "online niche directory" for those in the market for craftsmen or traditional restorers, and its unique offerings earned it a spot in MassChallenge Rhode Island's 24-member cohort this year.
- The Spark Social, Inc.: This marketing agency works with small businesses to develop a social media-driven strategy for its clients, leaning on a self-established network for additional insight. The brand launched in 2019, and is helmed by thought leaders in the Rhody marketing space: Alicia Piazza and Nicole Eller.
Photo Courtesy Sproutel
Health and Wellness
- Katie McDonald, bnourished: McDonald created her 2010-born startup after working through a host of physical conditions she said were created by stress and busyness in her own life. Wanting to pay it forward, McDonald established her company to help others do the same. In 2019, she participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program; reached six figures in revenue; gave the keynote at the RISE Women's Leadership Conference this September (along with countless other events and meetings throughout the region).
- Chewsi: You may know Chewsi as the Delta Dental of Rhode Island spinoff that wanted to revolutionize how much clients pay for dental care. And while that's what the company is, in essence, its 2019 growth has made it more than that. Now, Chewsi's network includes more than 2,500 dental practices and its service area has expanded out of Rhode Island into the majority of New England and New Jersey. Bringing Chewsi to the Midwest and even Hawaii is on the company's docket.
- Mighty Well: The startup that sells accessories meant to hide treatment devices, Mighty Well just can't seem to slow down. After a busy 2018, this year brought the startup to The Cartier Women’s Initiative, a global business program designed for female entrepreneurs. In addition to a prestigious entry to the company's resume, the initiative gave Mighty Well a $30,000, zero-equity grant.
- Sproutel: Jerry the Bear, Sproutel's cornerstone tech-enabled toy for children to better cope with their chronic illnesses, put the Providence-based health tech company on the map. However, its "My Special Aflac Duck" creation for insurance company Aflac, a “comforting companion” for children with cancer that’s controlled via an app, is what brought Sproutel to SXSW. At the famed Austin-based event, Aflac and Sproutel shared first place in the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards' robotics and hardware category with two other companies.
- Twin Skin: Reducing plastic use and working to clean up the ocean are two (often intersecting) issues, and Twin Skin was created by Kate and Kristianna Lapierre to do just that in an unorthodox way. The company's flagship products are all-natural and eco-friendly lip care with less plastic. In fact, its unique packaging is biodegradable, which has saved pounds of plastic pollution in Rhode Island alone.
- Vitae Industries: Vitae Industries' machine allows for automated personalized medicine for independent pharmacists to compound in accurate, quickly made doses. In June, the venture-backed company and Innovation Voucher winner completed a pre-seed round of an undisclosed amount.
The Pangea.app team hard at work. Courtesy photo.
Tech
- Back Pocket Resources: Back Pocket Resources ties in BI, analytics, information management and security, staffing and data science under one umbrella, helping clients overcome hiring challenges. The company has consistently tripled its year-over-year revenue for the past two years, and its founder, Sean McQuade, participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business training.
- Legably: Legably is hardly new to the ecosystem. The 2016-established startup connects users to solid lawyers looking for a bit of freelance work. While the company's been growing steadily since its debut, it recently reignited its work when it was accepted into this year's MassChallenge RI cohort.
- NowRenting: Finding a new place to live is never an easy task. There's researching the right spot, contacting potential landlord and locking in the chosen apartment once the search is over. NowRenting streamlines it all with its software. Zumper, a San Francisco-based apartment search business, acquired NowRenting in September.
- Pangea.app: In 2017, Pangea.app started as a peer-to-peer marketplace for students looking to find contract work. Come 2019, the company underwent big changes, ultimately pivoting. Now, the service additionally connects companies with students in need of work. Besides the pivot, Pangea participated in MassChallenge RI.
- Retail MarketPoint: Westerly-based company Retail MarketPoint uses data to help business owners find the best place to launch companies of their own. 2019 highlights include forming a partnership with Moody’s Analytics and winning the #GetStartedRI competition (which came with a $25,000 grand prize).
A FountainHeadRI event in full swing. Courtesy photo.
Nonprofit
- David Almonte and FountainheadRI: Almonte co-created nonprofit FountainHeadRI for individuals who want to collaboratively use their skills to better Rhode Island. It does this via networking and panel events, ultimately drawing more than 500 in its community. Like his nonprofit, Almonte is himself on fire, providing insight in outlets like "U.S. News and World Report," "CNBC" and "The New York Times." He has won numerous awards and recognitions, such as becoming one of the nominees for the National 40 under 40 from CPA Practice Advisor.
- Tuni Schartner: Dubbed "Rhode Island's economic gardener," Tuni Schartner's most recent work was as the director of entrepreneurship and innovation at the burgeoning innovation center in Newport, aptly dubbed Innovate Newport. She has been integral in fostering a community of entrepreneurs, thought leaders and the curious, facilitating events and attracting speakers that challenge and inspire.
- SCORE Rhode Island: Considered a platinum-rated performer by its national leaders based on the number of clients served, the all-volunteer led SCORE Rhode Island works closely with the state's small business and startup community, providing free workshops and mentorships. While other chapters have seen floundering numbers, Rhode Island's have continued to grow.
