Plant-based products for natural hair care. A cooperative of women who meet monthly to discuss each other's personal and professional advancement. A monthly subscription kit for dementia patients and their caretakers. Rhode Island entrepreneurs are making these things happen through Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG)'s 2020 Impact Accelerator.
Now 11 years old, SEG is a nonprofit that supports social impact businesses through classes, events, an incubator, a coworking space and other services, run primarily out of a building in Providence called the “Hub.” Last year, SEG announced plans to open satellite offices in Newport, plus one in the Pawtucket and Central Falls area.
SEG debuted the startups in its 2020 Food Accelerator last month.
The nonprofit's Impact Accelerator is delivered in partnership with Brown University and funded by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Real Jobs RI Initiative, Newman’s Own Foundation and the Island Foundation.
Over the course of the three-month program, participating startups will get access to an industry-tailored curriculum, a network of experts and SEG's own network of advisors cultivated over the years. The program culminates in a Pitch Night on May 28 at SEG’s Providence coworking space at 10 Davol Square.
Read about the participating startups below. Descriptions provided by SEG.
BASA is on a mission to inspire and develop the innovators of tomorrow by designing and facilitating creative learning experiences for the children of today. BASA aims to prepare children and teens for the challenges of the 21st century through a community platform, online and onsite, that focuses on STEAM learning. Founders: Fernanda Bolaños, Megan Molina, and Rosinda Fuentes of Providence, R.I.
Empirical Nature helps nonprofit organizations maximize success through customized planning and support to accurately measure, understand and communicate their impact. Founder: Abigail Burrows of Newport, R.I.
15 Minute Field Trips™ is dedicated to environmental advocacy through art and community action and environmental literacy through physical and online resources, training and creation of “field trips” to get youth, classrooms and families outdoors. Its goal is to create responsible citizens and advocates for the environment and to reduce anxiety through the enjoyment of nature. Founder: Melissa Guillet of Johnston, R.I.
Giving Beyond the Box, LLC, builds gift boxes that make a social impact—clean water, access to education, empowering women, and more—encouraging those who give gifts and those who receive them to share values and purpose in the gift exchange. Founder: Sandra Enos, Ph.D., of Peace Dale, R.I.
Grands Flourish, Inc., is Rhode Island’s only nonprofit organization that focuses on providing supports, services and resources to grandparents raising grandchildren impacted by substance use disorder. Through program engagements, it empowers grandparents to navigate complex systems and succeed in their new role as caregivers. Founder: Magdalena Andreozzi of West Warwick, R.I.
His & Her House is a nonprofit in Warwick, R.I., that provides boarding and life skill workshops to young adults ages 18 to 25. It focuses on those aging out of foster care as well as underserved and homeless young adults looking to further their education. Founder: Tamara Montgomery of Warwick, R.I.
KerlyGirl is a natural hair care venture offering organic and 100 percent plant-based products uniquely formulated for the hair needs of curly, coily and kinky textures. KerlyGirl aims to revolutionize the budding conscious space between beauty and health for folks of color. Founder: Kerlyne Jean-Baptiste of Stoughton, Mass.
Obawear Clothing connects high-level fashion with social impact by showing the powerful impact our clothing purchases can have if made thoughtfully. Founder: Abdul Fatai Ajakaiye of North Providence, R.I.
SIREN Women's Cooperative is a diverse, inclusive community of work-minded women who meet for monthly personal and professional advancement talks and relationship-based networking events. They have developed and implemented a Ready to Work exchange where they assist women in need of job search and interview skills. Founder: Sarah Nadimpalli of Portsmouth, R.I.
VISIT is a monthly subscription kit, with curated activities, a guiding workbook and a supporting app experience, that facilitates connection and relationship-building between caregivers and their loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Founders: Layne Mayer & Katherine Magee of Providence, R.I.
Wisdom for Living is a life enrichment discussion group program for elders. Guided by a knowledgeable and skillful facilitator, it creates a venue for elders living in residential communities to share their thoughts, be listened to and find meaning and purpose in this chapter of their lives. Founder: Gwenette Kangis of Providence, R.I.
