R.I. Business Plan Competition finalists selected

THE RHODE ISLAND Business Plan Competition will name winners on May 3.
THE RHODE ISLAND Business Plan Competition will name winners on May 3.

PROVIDENCE – Seven finalists have been selected in the 2016 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, and their proposed businesses address problems in biotechnology, consumer, health care, information technology and the manufacturing industries.

The seven finalists were chosen from a field of 14 semi-finalists. There were 79 applicants overall.

The winners of the 13th annual competition will be chosen at an awards ceremony on May 3 at the Chace Center/Rhode Island School of Design Museum, where nearly $225,000 in prizes will be awarded. All of the finalists will briefly present their ideas at the event.

Entrepreneur track finalists are:

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  • Neurocurious, which is developing a computer vision algorithm to automate collection of rodent behavior data, aimed at reducing costs related to this significant component of pharmaceutical R&D. Principal applicant is Kurt Spindler, of Providence.
  • Neurotecnix, which proposed a electroencephalography system for non-invasive recording of brain activity with software, which objectively measures and localizes pain. Principal applicant is Adam Nitenson, Providence.
  • Response Technologies, which is developing a manufacturing process that makes fuel tanks explosion resistant while reducing weight and lowering production costs. Principal applicant is Ed Bard, Cumberland.
  • XactSense, which has created a drone-based hardware-software system to survey and inspect hard-to-reach infrastructure components at significantly lower cost and time than traditional methods permit. Principal applicant is Andy Trench, Warwick.

Student track finalists are:

  • Farmer Willie’s, which is developing a gluten-free, craft beer that serves the niche ginger beer market. Principal applicant is Nicolas Enriquez, Brown University. (Originally entered in the entrepreneur track, Farmer Willie’s was transferred to the student track as the principals are students.)
  • PICCPerfect, which has developed a functional accessory that enables chronically ill patients to manage peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines to avoid dislodging lines and preventing irritation or infection. Principal applicant is Emily Levy, Babson College.
  • Vinespect, which is developing a handheld optical tester that instantaneously and nondestructively determines sugar, pH, and acidity of on-vine grapes, allowing viticulturists to make more frequent field measurements. Principal applicant is Richard McDonald, Brown University.

Lead sponsors of the 2016 competition are Bryant University; Focus Vision Media; Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP; Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. Ltd.; Locke Lord LLP; Pure Haven Essentials; and the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund.

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