Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Fund (IRISBF) is sponsored by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. Provides grants to Rhode Island small businesses to support SBIR/STTR applications and awards.

Innovation Grants & Vouchers in Rhode Island | Business Incentives Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Innovation Incentives and Startup Support 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. 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.

Innovation Grants and Investments Get up to $75k to partner with a local knowledge provider on research & development to develop new products, processes, or services in Rhode Island. Grants to intermediaries supporting businesses with technical assistance, access to capital and /or space on flexible terms.

Funding to support businesses that apply to the SBIR/STTR programs as well as to match these awards made by the federal government Rhode Island innovators can receive up to $5K for eligible patent-related expenses. Ready to bring your next idea to market? 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. Explore Access to Capital Opportunities Learn about the Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) , Small Business Loan Fund (SBLF) , and the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to help finance your venture.

Connect to Rhode Island's Innovation Hubs 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 Organizations funded through Rhode Island Commerce to help the high-growth venture community thrive.

Science & Technology Research & Innovation The Rhode Island Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC) harnesses the knowledge of Rhode Island's deep research ecosystem to further invest in innovation and technology entrepreneurship. The STAC Internship Program offers companies funds to cover engineering and biotechnology research interns throughout the year, up to $6,500 per intern.

Rhode Island Innovation Campus In November 2016, Rhode Island voters approved a $20 million bond issue to create one or more Innovation Campuses affiliated with URI that will bring together leading industry, academic, and research partners.

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.