Providence, R.I. (March 11, 2020) – Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) announced today that 11 local social ventures have been chosen to participate in its 2020 Impact Accelerator program. The Impact Accelerator offers an industry-tailored curriculum, customized face-to-face instruction, peer learning, and access to a network of industry experts in addition to the entire SEG Advisor network to help social entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
The purpose of SEG’s Impact Accelerator program is to stimulate innovation in Rhode Island and to help create more successful, sustainable “do well, do good” businesses, leading to a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. The three-month program culminates with a Pitch Night on Thursday, May 28, 2020, held at SEG’s coworking space at 10 Davol Square in Providence.
SEG’s 2020 Impact Accelerator is delivered in partnership with Brown University and is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Real Jobs RI Initiative, Newman’s Own Foundation, and the Island Foundation. Eighty-four social ventures have graduated from the SEG Impact Accelerator since its start in 2010.
Participants chosen for SEG’s 2020 Impact Accelerator are as follows:
BASA is on a mission to inspire and develop the innovators of tomorrow by designing and facilitating creative learning experiences for the children of today. BASA aims to prepare children and teens for the challenges of the 21st century through a community platform, online and onsite, that focuses on STEAM learning. Founders: Fernanda Bolaños, Megan Molina, and Rosinda Fuentes of Providence, R.I.
Empirical Nature helps nonprofit organizations maximize success through customized planning and support to accurately measure, understand and communicate their impact. Founder: Abigail Burrows of Newport, R.I.
15 Minute Field Trips™ is dedicated to environmental advocacy through art and community action and environmental literacy through physical and online resources, training, and creation of “field trips” to get youth, classrooms, and families outdoors. Its goal is to create responsible citizens and advocates for the environment and to reduce anxiety through the enjoyment of nature. Founder: Melissa Guillet of Johnston, R.I.
Giving Beyond the Box, LLC, builds gift boxes that make a social impact – clean water, access to education, empowering women, and more – encouraging those who give gifts and those who receive them to share values and purpose in the gift exchange. Founder: Sandra Enos, Ph.D., of Peace Dale, R.I.
Grands Flourish, Inc., is Rhode’s Island’s only nonprofit organization that focuses on providing supports, services, and resources to grandparents raising grandchildren impacted by substance use disorder. Through program engagements, it empowers grandparents to navigate complex systems and succeed in their new role as caregivers. Founder: Magdalena Andreozzi of West Warwick, R.I.
His & Her House is a nonprofit in Warwick, R.I., that provides boarding and life skill workshops to young adults aged 18-25. It focuses on those aging out of foster care and underserved/homeless young adults looking to further their education. Founder: Tamara Montgomery of Warwick, R.I.
KerlyGirl is a natural hair care venture offering organic and 100% plant-based products uniquely formulated for the hair needs of curly, coily, and kinky textures. KerlyGirl aims to revolutionize the budding conscious space between beauty and health for folks of color. Founder: Kerlyne Jean-Baptiste of Stoughton, Mass.
Obawear Clothing connects high level fashion with social impact by showing the powerful impact our clothing purchases can have if made thoughtfully. Founder: Abdul Fatai Ajakaiye of North Providence, R.I.
SIREN Women’s Cooperative is a diverse, inclusive community of work-minded women who meet for monthly personal and professional advancement talks, relationship-based networking events, and have developed and implemented a Ready to Work exchange where they assist women in need of job search and interview skills. Founder: Sarah Nadimpalli of Portsmouth, R.I.
VISIT is a monthly subscription kit, with curated activities, a guiding workbook, and a supporting app experience, that facilitates connection and relationship-building between family/friend/clinical caregivers and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Founders: Layne Mayer & Katherine Magee of Providence, R.I.
Wisdom for Living is a life enrichment discussion group program for elders. Guided by a knowledgeable and skillful facilitator, it creates a venue for elders living in residential communities to share their thoughts, be listened to, and find meaning and purpose in this chapter of their lives. Founder: Gwenette Kangis of Providence, R.I.
About Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Social Enterprise Greenhouse creates positive social and economic impact by providing social entrepreneurs and enterprises with the tools and networks they need to thrive. It also fosters an ecosystem of diverse stakeholders who work to enable a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. Social Enterprise Greenhouse operates statewide out of three programming sites in Providence, Newport, and Pawtucket/Central Falls. To learn more, visit www.segreenhouse.org.
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Contact:
Karen Donovan
Communications Manager
Social Enterprise Greenhouse
kdonovan@segreenhouse.org