Rhode Island (February 26, 2019) – 13 Rhode Island based social enterprises are set to begin the Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) Accelerator program on February 27, 2019. The Accelerator, SEG’s signature venture development program, includes a 12-week blended learning model that provides social entrepreneurs the tools, networks, and resources to validate their idea, understand their customer, and formalize growth strategies from fundraising to social impact measurement. Additional value is provided by one-on-one business coaching, a peer-learning cohort model, and access to SEG’s co-working space at 10 Davol Square, Providence.
As part of the 2019 Impact Accelerator cohort we are pleased to welcome 5 environmental-impact social enterprises (signified by an asterisk) as part of SEG’s Water, Energy and Environment Initiative. Throughout the Accelerator, these ventures will have access to additional industry-specific advising and programming.
Meet the 2019 Impact Accelerator Cohort:
1 PVD Cycling* provides opportunities through the sport of cycling that inspire confidence, create a broadened sense of community, and promote an active, healthy lifestyle. Entrepreneur: Katie Fairhead, Donny Green
The Art of Fate* exists to build a movement in the fashion and wellness industry that represents all womxn, to educate and inform people about the environmental destruction caused by the fast-fashion industry, and grow a platform that supports and shares the stories of emerging social entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur: Jackelyn Dacanay
DDBe Productions provides production and administrative services that support the growth and development of Rhode Island artists. Entrepreneur: Deanna Brown
Hope Scholars Initiative is committed to validating Hip Hop culture as a viable and integral part of student’s academic experience through Hip Hop based practice, events, programming, and curriculum. Students will be more actively engaged in their scholarship by leveraging a medium that they’re already connected with. Entrepreneur: Harrison Grigsby
Innate Five’s mission is to foster healthier and more engaged workplace cultures, through the use of Strengths-based development principles and a mindfulness approach. Our clients help us subsidize our social commitment to deliver Strengths training to urban youth in Rhode Island. Entrepreneurs: Claudia Cardozo, Javier R. Alfonzo
Jessica Ricci Jewelry preserves tossed-away cultural artifacts and transforms these generation-worn everyday objects into art. Lace, coins, keys and amulets from Tanzania to Tibet, Italy to India, find a second life where their story can be told, not forgotten. Entrepreneur: Jessica Ricci
Kai’s Kloset* features one-of-a-kind, fashionable, affordable clothing and accessories designed by individual artists from recycled materials. The business also provides opportunities for positive self-improvement and a platform for environmental and community concerns. Entrepreneur: Kai Cameron
The Key is a yoga-based wellness program for inside prison. After spending 20 years as a corrections officer, Mary Gill is interested in creating a wellness program for her fellow staff and eventually the inmate population they work with. Entrepreneur: Mary Joseph
One Gun Gone takes one gun off the street, makes art from that gun and sells that art to buy more guns off the street. Important in this process is students’ positive exposure to people, places and careers they might otherwise not encounter on their own. Entrepreneur: Scott Lapham
Refuge Impact Investments invests in refugee-owned and run businesses, with the goal of creating an online peer-to-peer lending platform that connects refugees who need access to capital with people who are interested in creating impact through their investments. Entrepreneur: Carolyn Cannella
The Sweet Home Project RI is a non-profit with a mission to help place pride and comfort into the homes of low income families coming out of homelessness. This is done by furnishing and decorating their space with furniture and funds donated by our community. Entrepreneur: Kendra Morales
Violet’s Village* changes young lives by changing minds. We educate youth about the full history of Africa and its diaspora and connect them with training related to organic living, getting back to the earth, healing through the arts, community engagement, and much more. Entrepreneur: V Raffini
Zarephath Water Enterprise* will provide healthy drinking water to the population of Nigeria. Our drinking water will provide life-essentials (minerals, electrolytes, balanced Ph) and will run on solar and wind power. Entrepreneur: Viola Egbuniwe
The purpose of the SEG Accelerator is to help social enterprises be successful and sustainable, leading to more social good. The 2019 Impact Accelerator is funded in part by Department of Labor and Training’s Real Jobs Rhode Island Initiative, Island Foundation, and Newman’s Own Foundation. The program is also made possible by SEG’s network of 300+ volunteer coaches and advisors, many of whom are business and community leaders in Rhode Island.
The 2019 Impact Accelerator culminates with a Pitch Event on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Upon graduation, participants will receive priority access to later stage business services as well as the SEG Loan Fund that provides below market interest rate loans to high potential social enterprises.
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About Social Enterprise Greenhouse:
Social Enterprise Greenhouse creates positive social and economic impact by supporting social entrepreneurs and enterprises with the tools and networks they need to thrive. We are a network of 400+ enterprises and 300+ business and community leaders who contribute time, expertise and funding to grow Rhode Island’s social impact ecosystem.
Press Contact:
Crystal Rosatti
Social Enterprise Greenhouse
crosatti@segreenhouse.org
401.272.2558 ext. 4826