RHODE ISlAND
Innovation Studio Rhode Island strives to make entrepreneurship and business ownership accessible and attainable for all innovators. We believe business ownership creates a path to economic prosperity, reduces the racial wealth gap and build generational wealth in communities of color.
Through the Pathways to Entrepreneurship program continuum and as the managers of Biz Bodega, Manton Avenue Business Resource Center Innovation Studio supports entrepreneurs, small business owners and innovators from Rhode Island. Our team specializes in helping the development and growth of businesses and startups at three stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Idea or Ideation, Early Stage- Validation & Micro and Small Business Growth.
RHODE ISLAND Program & Services
At Innovation Studio our goal is to ensure you have the right tools to start a successful business venture from the very start.
Entrepreneurship Programs
INSPIRE: This idea stage program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs the very basics of business ownership. You will learn about the main characteristics necessary to become an entrepreneur and how to be creative and innovative in a business environment.
CREATE: A business incubator program that turns an idea into a successful business model through problem discovery, customer identification, assessing the target market and understanding financial options. Through this program you will build your business venture using the LEAN canvas business model.
SHARE: This pitch preparation program is for founders who want to gain experience communicating and presenting their company’s story more effectively to access capital and investment opportunities. Through a combination of workshops and mentorship you will evaluate your pitch deck, finetune your messaging and learn how to present to different audiences.
Expert Advising: 1-2-1 sessions with experts in their field who help you to take the lesson learned in our curriculums and implement them into your business. Our advisors have experience in many fields of business development from accounting and bookkeeping to marketing and social media.
All of Innovation Studio’s entrepreneurship programs are designed to offer assistance to a wide range of innovators from early-stage tech ventures to micro businesses. In addition to the INSPIRE, CREATE and SHARE programs Innovation Studio Rhode Island offers the GROW program for small and micro businesses.
GROW: A virtual small business accelerator that teaches business owners how to generate new customers and increase sales through strategic assessment & evaluation, digital marketing, and technology. This program is best for business owners that have been in operation for at least 1 year and generated sales.
Innovation Studio in partnership with One Neighborhood Builder’s One Central Providence initiative, manages the Biz Bodega. The Biz Bodega is a community based workspace and business resource center located at 222 Manton Avenue Providence.
The Biz Bodega is a one stop resource hub where business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can gain access to a range of resources and connections to the business support ecosystem in Rhode Island. The space also offers a free workspace and meeting venue for the small business and entrepreneurial community.
Upcoming Programs & EVents
Learn how you can participate in an Innovation Studio Rhode Island program or gain access to the resources offered at the Biz Bodega by signing up for a free Entrepreneurship Navigation Session.
RHODE ISLAND IMPACT
Anne RABLE
Haitian.ish
Anne began her entrepreneurial journey in 2020 but stalled due to the pandemic. She learned of Innovation Studio and Biz Bodega through a friend and registered for an entrepreneurship navigation meeting. To get her business back on track Anne took the CREATE program, where she developed a solid business model, identified her target audience, and learned about funding opportunities. Her hard work paid off when the Downtown Providence Park Network offered haitian.ish a spot as a summer food cart vendor. Anne did not stop there, in 2023 she applied for a loan through the Central Providence Opportunities Loan Fund and was approved. With this money, Anne is expanding her food truck business and sharing more of her delicious Haitian cuisine throughout Rhode Island.
Rhode Island locations
providence - biz bodega
Innovation Studio is the operator of The Biz Bodega, Manton Ave Business Resource Center. The Biz Bodega is a place-based initiative of One Neighborhood Builder’s One Central Providence Opportunity Zone initiative. It is designed to make business ownership equitable and accessible to those within the central Providence community.
providence - westwey Club
Innovation Studio’s Rhode Island Headquarters and Offices are located at the Westwey Club in Providence, RI. The Westwey Club is a generous partner who provides Innovation Studio with an innovative space to offer programs, workshops, events and meetings.
address
Westwey Club
1 Turks Head Pl, 11th Fl
Providence, RI 02903
