Commission Brings National and International Expertise to Strengthen Research at URI

Led by Justice Robert G. Flanders, Jr., the nine-member University of Rhode Island Commission for Innovation and Research will begin work in October and is charged with proposing actions to strengthen URI's position as a nationally competitive public research university and a key institution in Rhode Island's effort to grow an innovation economy. [more]

12 Rhode Island Companies Dubbed "Fastest-Growing" By Inc. Magazine

Inc. Magazine listed 12 Rhode Island firms in the Inc. 5,000, a list of the nation's fastest growing private companies. North Kingstown-based TCMPI, a wholesale direct link to jewelry manufacturers, name brand giftware and music instruments, made the Inc. 500 list at number 73. [more]

Rhode Island Manufacturing Changes with the Times

Although the face of manufacturing in Rhode Island has changed, those who have invested in innovation continue to find Rhode Island a profitable place to locate a manufacturing operation. Preview a video vignette that the RIEDC recently produced to showcase the exciting things happening across Rhode Island's manufacturing sector. [watch the video]

STAC Funding Program Invests Additional $1.5 Million in Collaborative Research

The Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council's Research Alliance announced that it will invest an additional $1.5 million in research that promotes collaboration across the state's academic and commercial institutions. In 2006, STAC awarded $1.5 million to eight teams from 15 research institutions pursuing projects in medicine, engineering, chemistry, biology, oceanography and environmental science. Proof of the program's catalytic nature came in August when one award recipient received a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

[Read more about last year's awardees] [Apply today]

Slater Fund Poised for Progress in Fiscal 2008

The Slater Technology Fund, a state-backed venture capital fund, closed fiscal year 2007 with $3.1 million in commitments, nearly $1 million in capital recovery and renewed funding from the state of Rhode Island. The Small Business Loan Fund, a loan program run by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, also provided support this year to companies such as Andera, Concordia Fibers, Creative Circle and Location. [more]

EDC, Tech Collective and PBN Honor 2007 Rhode Island Innovation Awards Winners

On Thursday, September 20, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Tech Collective and the Providence Business News are partnering to honor the winners of the 2007 Rhode Island Innovation Awards at Hasbro in Pawtucket. The celebration will honor the winners who have made innovation central to their activities. [more]

Last Chance to Register for the BIF-3 Summit

Just what does a retired IBM executive have in common with a 20-something pioneer of British "pirate" radio? What do they have in common with the U.S. Under Secretary for Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate? More than you might think.

When these three innovators take the stage at the BIF-3 Collaborative Innovation Summit, they — along with Walt Mossberg, Bill Taylor, Mark Cuban, Richard Saul Wurman and Jason Fried, to name just a few—will showcase the power of linking together stories about what it takes to create innovation and drive change.

Register on-line or watch a short video vignette that describes the summit experience. To view a full list of storytellers, visit the BIF-3 website.

Innovator Spotlight: Biomedical Structures

Warwick-based Biomedical Structures is not your typical medical textile producer. They are a full-service designer and manufacturer of fibrous and textile components for medical devices that are lightweight, comfortable, strong and biocompatible. [more]

Edward Cooney: Looking to Quonset's Success

In a Providence Journal Op-Ed, published on August 13, Edward Cooney, president of the North Kingstown Town Council, seconded Saul Kaplan's call for a strategic collaboration between all of the key stakeholders in Quonset for the business park's success. [more]

Quonset – Revitalizing Rail Shipping

A $6-million rail improvement project, managed under the supervision of the Quonset Development Corporation, is making the rail shipping method new again. Using money from a 2004 $48-million bond referendum, tracks are being replaced and expanded, prompting companies to make new investments in rail connections. [more]

First OceanTech (OTE) Expo Debuts in Providence

The EDC sponsored the inaugural OceanTech Expo on September 5-7 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. This unique, industry-led exposition featured new equipment, training and live demonstrations of the most current technology available to the growing ocean technology and marine science industry in North America. [more]

Microloan Fund Helps South Providence Diner Take Off

The Liberty Elm, a renovated 1947 former Worcester lunch car, feeds off the South Providence neighborhood it calls home. A good portion of the menu is locally-made or grown, and the most expensive item on the menu costs $5.75. Thanks in part to a loan from the Micro-business emerging growth fund, an EDC loan partnership that assists start-up or existing businesses that employ less than five and generates less than $300,000 in annual revenues, the Liberty Elm was able to get off the ground. [more]

Item Group Continues Rapid Growth Thanks to Loan from BDCRI

Business is good at Providence's Item Group. So good, in fact, that the company needed to re-evaluate its financial structure to allow the continuation of its fast-paced growth. The Business Development Company of Rhode Island was the answer, supplying a $500,000 bridge financing loan to allow Item to expand its manufacturing space. [more]

Purvis Systems Awarded $36 M in Navy Support Contracts

Purvis Systems, a Middletown-based technology services firm has been awarded two Navy support contracts, totaling $36.7 million. Both contracts will be used in support of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport. [more]

TB Vaccine for HIV Patients Receives Support from NIH

Providence-based biotechnology firm EpiVax has received a $590,912 grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a tuberculosis vaccine safe for HIV patients. [more]

Brown Researcher Wins Neurological Research Award

John Donoghue, the director of the Brain Science program at Brown University and pioneer of the innovative neuroprosthesis system called BrainGate, was awarded the K.J. Zulch Prize — Germany's highest honor for basic neurological research. [more]

PTAC Training Session

• When: September 20, 8:30–11 a.m.
• Where: Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence.
• Contact: Louis Francis, 401-278-9151, lfrancis@riedc.com, http://riptac.ecenterdirect.com

This month's training session focuses on marketing to the government. One-on-one counseling is available by appointment.

We Mean Business

• When: November 5, noon–7 p.m.
• Where: Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Rd., Lincoln.
• Contact: Sherri Carrera, 888-384-9704, www.wemeanbusinessri.com

We Mean Business is a joint venture of the Secretary of State's First Stop Business Information Center and Every Company Counts, an initiative of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The mission of We Mean Business is to connect Rhode Island business owners with local, state and federal regulators as well as to non-profit resources that impact business.