Last night, food incubator Hope & Main hosted Rhode Island Inno for its July State of Innovation event, focused on the food and drink entrepreneurial landscape in Rhode Island.
We heard from a panel of five leaders in the space: Social Enterprise Greenhouse Food Initiative and Development Director Betsy Santarlasci; Hope & Main President and Founder Lisa Raiola, WhatsGood Co-Founder and CEO Matt Tortora; RI Food Fights Jim Nellis; and Dave's Marketplace Specialty and Produce Buyer Ken Banalewicz.
Yours truly moderated the panel, and asked questions like, "How would you summarize the food and drink innovation landscape in Rhode Island?" and "What are some challenges and wins unique to those working within this industry?"
Our panelists explained that the past few years have marked a huge change for the local culinary entrepreneurial scene, with innovators realizing they had an affinity for cooking and business, but weren't quite sure how to marry the two loves, but were willing to work with organizations like Hope & Main and SEG to figure out how.
Raiola explained that this is a testament to the growing small business resources in the state, especially niche resources for those within this particular industry.
The conversation concluded with panelists explaining why their particular work matters. The consensus? It creates a chain of business that is headquartered within Rhode Island from those developing the ingredients, to those preparing the food or meal and finally, to those selling it and buying it, or using the tech developed to share it. Ultimately, that makes a sequence of Rhode Island engagement and economic participation that bolsters the whole state.
A brief Q&A followed, with delicious food, drink and networking. Plus, demos from Alternutive, LLC's John Roderick and Liz Barrett of Barretts Garden.
The fun didn't stop there. This morning, thanks to the generosity of KNEAD Doughnuts in Providence, we hosted a "Beans with the Beat" mixer, where readers hung out and talked all things Rhode Island startups over coffee and treats.
These events were a delightful opportunity to learn, socialize and meet our readers, and the whole Rhode Island Inno team had a blast! To Hope & Main and KNEAD Doughnuts; our panelists; our sponsor, Cox Communications; those who demoed during our event; and all our attendees, thank you! You made last night happen. To those itching for another Rhode Island Inno event to get on your calendar, good news! We'll be back in town in two months for our Coolest Companies fest. This September soiree will celebrate our coolest companies winners, and you can nominate your organization now.
