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Rhode Island Fashion Week | Fashion Swap & Sips

Admission is complimentary! Email the following to hello@fashionweekri.com (First Name, Last Name, Email address, # of tickets)

TroubleFest

Join us for TroubleFest, a book signing and talk with Author Lisa Sun! Lisa’s new book, Gravitas The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence, will give you the guidance you need to succeed in any environment. Lisa’s insights into what makes a strong leader, and her confidence boosting advice are invaluable, especially to women and girls. Free and open to the public. First 50 registrants get a free gift.

Rhode Island Fashion Week | Emerging Designers Showcase

Produced by RAW Providence, our talented designers display their newest collections and trends on the runway. Come experience the finest in fashion with us! Click on your preferred date below and select one of our features to support with your ticket purchase.

Rhode Island Fashion Week | Seasoned Designer Showcase

Produced by RAW Providence, our talented designers display their newest collections and trends on the runway. Come experience the finest in fashion with us!

Innovation Crawl

For the second year in a row, Venture Café and Innovate Newport have teamed up to tour some of Rhode Island’s most innovative companies and spaces! We’re hopping on buses and taking a tour around the Ocean State. Starting and ending in Bristol, we’ll wrap up the day with a celebratory happy hour at Pivotal Brewing where you can network with members from RI’s innovation and entrepreneurial community. Stops will include: Borealis Coffee Company, Hope + Main, Prov Port, IRYS, Vatn Systems, Pivotal Brewing, and more!

Ted's Tangents - A legal talk about how to avoid some of the potholes for startups.

Ted Howell of Howell Legal, is our go-to expert on the legal stuff every startup founder should know. When you’re launching a business, legal issues might not be the first thing on your mind, but they’re unbelievably important. Ted will walk us through the common legal mistakes he sees — issues that can trip up early-stage startups — and he will discuss ways to avoid them.
Got questions? Bring ’em! This event is interactive and hybrid, so you can join us in person at the CIC or hop on Zoom.

Intellectual Property Fundamentals and Resources from the USPTO

Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Learn about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovations as you transition from idea to product.

Innovator's Happy Hour

Join Venture Cafe Providence and Innovate Newport for a networking social at Pivotal Brewing Company in Bristol! Enjoy networking with members of Rhode Island’s innovation and entrepreneurial community. The day long Innovation Crawl will conclude at this event, but this networking portion is free and open to the public.

An Evening with Irena Pereira, CEO of Unleashed Games and Board Member of Rhode Island Game Institute

Irena Pereira will share her journey in forming a revolutionary game development company that focuses on bringing people together through games. There will be game demos and networking among the community of game designers and industry leaders in Rhode Island.

NAVSEA SBIR Roadshow

Bringing our community together to discuss the Navy’s SBIR Program, processes, funding, and support mechanisms for companies who wish to participate in the program.

Responsible AI Workshop

This workshop is designed to educate participants about the principles, practices, and benefits of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI). The workshop offers free training on what Responsible AI is, the core tenets of a Responsible AI (RAI) framework, and the importance and benefits of these principles for organizations of all sizes. Attendees will learn about tools and techniques to address bias in AI systems and enhance their explainability. This workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and deploy AI systems that are ethical, fair, transparent, and aligned with societal values.

Perfect Your Pitch & Investor Deck

Join us at this Lunch and Learn event designed to help you perfect your pitch and create a compelling pitch deck. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Bradley Adams, Co-Founder of Aerogami, and Peter George, a well known public speaking coach, will offer valuable insights and practical tips to make your pitch shine.

AI in RI: Networking Luncheon

Connect with AI enthusiasts and those curious about how AI can transform our state and businesses. Hear from Chris Parisi, Vice Chair of the AI Task Force, on the state’s plans and share what you recommend on how RI can be a leader in the AI-driven future!

Demystifying AI: Addressing Fears and Unpacking the Reality of Artificial Intelligence

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion and conversation with you, the audience. As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, many people have concerns and questions about its implications. This is your opportunity to gain clarity and understanding about AI—what it truly is, what it is not, and how it will impact our daily lives. Our panel of experts will demystify AI, dispel common myths, and provide insights into how we can navigate the future together. Don’t miss this chance to engage in a thoughtful conversation and voice your concerns in a supportive environment. Bring your thoughts and questions!

RI Bio + Hinckley Allen: Ask the Expert! Fundraising via SAFEs, Debt & Equity

Get ready for a lively and insightful Q&A on startup fundraising with Jack Steele, Partner at Hinckley Allen! Whether you’re a founder looking for funding or just curious about the latest in venture capital, this event promises to be a fun and informative deep dive into the world of startup investment.

RI Bio Presents Community IP: Ask the Patent & Licensing Expert!

Join us for a unique Q&A event where you can get your patent and licensing questions answered by an experienced intellectual property lawyer. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, researcher, or startup founder, this session offers a chance to gain expert insights on protecting your innovations and navigating the complexities of IP law. Don’t miss this opportunity to clarify your concerns and receive tailored advice in a collaborative setting.

SiliconXL Startup Demo Day

This Demo Day hosted by Arnell Milhouse, showcases startups and their technical co-founders from the current SiliconXL Accelerator cohort. Founders will demonstrate their innovations, tech stacks, AI & LLM integrations, product market fit and plans to scale. SiliconXL has plans to nurture, incubate and launch 30+ startups per year, come and see a few of their upcoming launches.

AI in Finance: Building AI Agents in digital experiences

Join Marstone was we show some of our latest thinking on how AI Agents will be used in digital advice and most digital experiences. We’ll demo different AI experiences we are working on – from learning about retirement options to asking questions about your account and portfolio. We will present and discuss how they could be used, the pitfalls and show how to build them.

RI Bio: Meet the New Executive Director

RI Bio has a new coach, innovator and entrepreneur leading RI Bio into 2025 and beyond. Join us to learn more about how RI Bio can help you or just for some free startup advice across all industries! Drop-Ins Welcome.

Startup Launch-A-Thon

Bring your laptops. Entrepreneurs and Devs from SiliconXL and DevAccelerator will work with attendees to leverage AI and live code the core features of a startup MVP. This session is a glimpse into the innovative 3-day, weekend LaunchAthons that SiliconXL hosts for up and coming tech entrepreneurs. This LaunchAthon mini-event will be led by Cliff Choiniere, Arnell Milhouse, Michael Spremulli & Johnlenny Tejada. Find out about upcoming full-weekend LaunchAthons and win cash prizes for you and/or your team.

Going from Idea to Launch! Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Mobile App or Website

Looking to build the next big app or launch your website? Come to this session to find specifics about how to bring your idea to life by using free and low cost tools to save you time and money. Learn how to validate your idea before even a line of code is written.

Open Coffee

Have startup questions or just want to hang out and have some casual conversations — then please join us for Open Coffee.​ Open Coffee is a monthly event where staff from RIHub, Rhode Island’s innovation hub, and Howell Legal, are on hand to share insights about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and connect with you.

Credibility for Your Business: Why your business needs a Professionally Done Website

Marketing and Social Media Strategist Ann Clanton Communications and Justin Senecal, Butler Digital make the case to Start-ups that they need to have a professional website and not do it themselves. Let the Pros handle it. Start-Ups should attend and learn how to have the website done professionally, that it is more affordable than they think.

Calamari Tank

What’s for Lunch? Squid! Join us as 3 entrepreneurs pitch to earn their spot as the top Squid! This is RI’s version of SharkTank and your vote counts in deciding the winner. Grab a bite at the Hope & Main Downtown Market and watch the event live or watch from your computer to see some RI entrepreneurs make their pitch to be the Top Squid.

Preparing your Investor Pitch with Lily from Scroobius

Building a clear and compelling pitch deck is crucial at any stage of the fundraising process. This isn’t about making a pretty deck. It’s about structuring your narrative and communicating the most important aspects of your business in a way that makes sense to investors. Learn a framework for structuring your narrative that has been vetted by investors and tangible advice for what information to include in each section of your pitch.

A Sense of Sellf: The Power of Brand & Storytelling for Early-Stage Start-Ups

A strong corporate brand makes long-lasting impressions on investors and customers alike. So why do most early-stage start-ups save it for last? Santoro Design Founder and Creative Director, Christopher Santoro, discusses why branding for startups is important from day one, and how to go about creating one of your own.

Flipping the Script: Investor Pitch Competition

Join us for a program where we reverse the roles of a traditional pitch competition. Come watch as three investors (debt, equity, hybrid) pitch their investment packages to one local startup, and learn what makes these investment options most compelling. At the end, the startup and the audience choose which investor shared the most promising pitch

Hope & Main Makers Market

Hope & Main’s Makers Market is a community event to engage our nonprofit mission. It’s more than a market, it’s a chance to enjoy live music, local chef dinners, craft food and beverage, fresh produce, and kids’ activities. There is ample parking, bike racks, and public transport are available. SNAP and RI Bonus Bucks are accepted

Women of Color Empowered: Inclusive After Hours Networking Event

This event is designed to uplift and support women in business, with a special focus on women of color. This event aims to reaffirm Rhode Island’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through engaging in thoughtful conversations, we will highlight the importance of women’s voices & perspectives.

B-Lab Showcase 2024

The Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship’s B-Lab is marking a decade of innovation with an extraordinary showcase as part of RI Startup Week, hosted by RIHub. This intensive 8-week accelerator program empowers student entrepreneurs to develop high-impact ventures, and the B-Lab Venture Showcase is the highlight of the celebration. Join us for an immersive experience where you can engage with these ventures, explore their groundbreaking products, and witness the transformation of their ideas over the summer. Doors Open @ 6:10 pm. Program & Networking from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

RISEUP Ideation Studio Pre-Accelerator Final Pitches

Join this exciting event featuring emerging entrepreneurs who have completed the Summer 2024 cohort of the RISEUP Ideation Studio Pre-Accelerator program. These innovators have solutions to impact environmental sustainability, enhance Blue Economy education in K-12 schools, create stronger creative communities and create more accessible clothing.

Accelerate Product Delivery Using Generative AI and Smart Contracts

This innovative workshop is designed for anyone eager to turn their ideas into reality. Attendees will engage in hands-on exercises with Rezoomex’s AI assistants. Learn to break down big ideas into smaller, manageable pieces for your teams to understand, deliver, and validate.

Making Better Business Decisions with Analytics

In today’s data-driven world, making informed business decisions is more critical than ever. Join us for an insightful webinar tailored specifically for small business owners and managers. Making Better Business Decisions with Analytics will provide you with the tools and knowledge to leverage data analytics effectively, helping you to drive growth.

Navigating Early-Stage Investment: Valuable Insights from Investors

This interactive panel will address the many topics that startup founders need to address as they work to fund their early-stage business. The panel features prominent angel investors including Managing Director of Beacon Angels, Dave Smith, Raza Shaikh of Launchpad Ventures, Thorne Sparkman of Slater/RightHill Ventures, and Ella Hood from Cherrystone Angels. They will explore the specific role of angel groups in the funding ecosystem compared to other financing options and offer guidance on how companies can optimize their chances of securing investment. The discussion will also cover how angel groups make investment decisions, including the timing and criteria involved. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and gain valuable insights into the early-stage funding process.

Innovation @ Brown Showcase

The second annual Innovation@Brown Showcase, hosted by Brown Technology Innovations (BTI), is a celebration of local innovation in and around Brown University. The 2023 inaugural event was attended by over 300 investors, academic researchers, entrepreneurs and regional leaders The agenda includes panel discussions on innovation in AI and Health and Tech, an awards ceremony recognizing BTI’s Inventor of the Year, Startup of the Year, and Innovation of the Year, and a showcase of 20-25 Brown-affiliated ventures.

1st Annual Project Insulin Cornhole Tournament

Project Insulin is hosting a cornhole tournament, to continue raising money and spreading awareness about our work making insulin more affordable for everyone.

Sagely Launch Party

Join us to celebrate Sagely’s product launch and the opening of our PVD headquarters. Enjoy cocktails, food, and learn a little bit about some of PVD’s historical innovators.

Newport Investor Summit

The inaugural event connecting investors and founders to discover innovative opportunities and build valuable networks. Hosted by RIHub and The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. The event will be hosted at the Newport Beach House.

Thank you. This event is SOLD OUT!