“RI Tech and Innovation Report” - Passing the Halfway Point of 2019

“RI Tech and Innovation Report” - Passing the Halfway Point of 2019

It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through 2019, and even harder to believe so much exciting stuff has happened within the Rhode Island tech scene in that short time.

From Social Enterprise Greenhouse’s expansion into Newport and Central Falls/Pawtucket to Crave Food System’s WhatsGood’s official app launch and the return of the Mini Maker Faire to PVD Fest, Ocean State innovators sure have been busy—and these are only a handful of examples of what they’ve been up to.

And that’s not even getting slightly into all the wind turbine buzz.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

To celebrate what’s happened so far in the tech industry in 2019—and get even more excited for what’s to come—here’s a short recap of tech and innovation news and happenings.

The University of Rhode Island received a $1.2 million scholarship for its National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program for future STEM teachers. Why is this big news? We lose too many well-educated and talented young professionals once they’re done school, but former Robert Noyce scholars are teaching right here in Rhode Island. Well done.

RI BIO—recently rebranded from MedMates—a trade association, has decided to focus exclusively on promoting the biotech industry, which it says is growing in Rhode Island. Why is that good news? In general, Rhode Island is lagging in tech and innovation growth, according to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Bloomberg’s U.S. State Innovation Index, which puts us in steep decline over the last several years.

Also on the upswing, however, is the state’s clean-energy sector, which has seen a 1 percent employment growth rate over the last year and a very impressive 16 percent growth rate since 2016.

Innovate Newport is up and running thanks to a partnership with the city, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island (and a $2 million Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit and other financial stakeholders). Newport had nothing like this before and Providence pretty much had full claim to the state’s high-tech hot spot.

Tech Collective launched a Diversity & Inclusion programming arm to address the need to increase diversity in the workplace, right as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Women in Tech Initiative which, so far, has helped mentor more than 300 women.

Eleven Rhode Island-based startups were among just 56 chosen from 250 applicants—from around the globe—for the MassChallenge Rhode Island second cohort.

Sproutel won big for its My Special Afflac Duck—a “comforting companion” for children with cancer—at the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards, taking home the top award in the Robotics and Hardware category and the people’s choice award.

We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the second half of a very active year for the tech industry here in Rhode Island, and we hope you’ll continue reading along with us as we continue to report on RI Tech and Innovation.