Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

State Contact (STATE)

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the official full-service, economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island, serves as a government and community resource to help businesses expand in, and relocate to, Rhode Island. A quasi-public agency, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation works with public, private, and nonprofit partners to create the conditions for businesses in all sectors to thrive promoting the state’s long-term economic health and prosperity. Rhode Island Commerce Corporation offers business assistance and financing, renewable energy grants, science and technology grants, incentives, and more. Innovation Incentives for small businesses that the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation offers include: Innovation Voucher Program The Innovation Voucher program unlocks R&D capacity for Rhode Island small businesses. Companies with 500 employees or less can receive up to $50,000. Rhode Island manufacturers have the option to use the Innovation Voucher to fund an internal R&D project. Grants can be applied to: 1. support for commercialization of a new product, process, or service 2. access to scientific, engineering, and design expertise 3. scale-to-market development of your innovative idea Science and Technology Grants Through the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC), funding was developed for small businesses that need capital to innovate, expand, and succeed. The Innovate RI Small Business Fund provides the following grants to assist local entrepreneurs and high-growth start-ups that participate in the Federal Small Business Innovation Research Program and have fewer than 50 employees: Matching Grant: Provides grants of up to $45,000 to recipients of SBIR/STTR Phase I awards and up to $100,000 to recipients of Phase II awards.  

http://commerceri.com/finance-business/renewable-energy-fund/