From cutting-edge technology startups to pioneering research initiatives to leading-edge manufacturing entrepreneurs and legacy companies, Rhode Island is a hub of creativity, problem-solving and innovation. The Innovation Incentives Portfolio offers valuable resources and support for businesses to increase their competitiveness and advance their efforts in innovation and for growth.
Access to Funding
Find non-dilutive funding opportunities through Rhode Island Commerce. With grant programs and incentives specifically designed to support innovation research and development (R&D), from early-stage R&D to commercialization, we support your goals through connecting state and federal funding opportunities that help businesses of all sizes bring their ideas to market.
Rhode Island's Innovation Incentives Portfolio is geared towards filling the gaps for entrepreneurs, inventors and evolving small businesses. Venture support taps the vibrant Rhode Island innovation ecosystem to further leverage the knowledge and talent throughout the State. In the smallest state in the nation, we know it's the small things targeted in the right ways that can have outsized impacts.
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
With top-ranked universities and research institutions, Rhode Island is a hub of skilled professionals and researchers. In partnership with other state agencies and organizations, Rhode Island Commerce connects businesses with the talent they need to drive innovation, from internships for engineering and biosciences companies to collaborative research partnerships to student-loan debt defrayment for targeted industries.
Infrastructure and Other Resources
From state-of-the-art labs and prototyping facilities to coworking spaces and incubators, Rhode Island Commerce connects businesses to the physical and organizational resources needed to succeed. These infrastructure supports help innovators at every stage-from ideation to scale.
Funding to support businesses that apply to the SBIR/STTR programs as well as to match these awards made by the federal government
New Venture and Startup Support
You have the vision; we have the support. Rhode Island Commerce, along with our network of partners, connects high-growth potential ventures and local entrepreneurs with the tools, funding and expertise to turn innovative ideas into thriving companies.
RIHUB: provides funding for high-growth, high-impact startups.
401 Tech Bridge: connecting manufacturers and innovators to next generation opportunities for technological advancement.
RI Life Sciences Hub: space, grants and support for biotech, medtech and the life sciences.
Ocean Technology Hub: a U.S. Economic Development Administration designated technology hub focused on rapid commercialization of undersea technology.
Network Matching Grant Partners
Visit our Innovation Network Matching Grant page to see a list of Business Support Organization's funded through Rhode Island Commerce to help the high-growth venture community thrive.
The STAC Internship Program offers companies funds to cover engineering and biotechnology research interns throughout the year, up to $6,500 per intern.
These Innovation Campuses are envisioned as facilities designed to stimulate collaborative research and development projects among academic and corporate tenants, with the goals of job growth and catalytic statewide impact. The campuses pair world-class, cutting-edge research with proven industry leadership and investment. Read the Press Release from the original announcement for more.
In 2018 and 2021, the Executive Office of Commerce issued solicitation rounds for new Innovation Campuses.
The Executive Office of Commerce initiated a competitive solicitation process with the release of a Call for Submissions. Activity and discussions related to the RFP are not part of any CommerceRI procurement process.
