Women-owned businesses in Rhode Island are not growing at the rate as those in the rest of the country. Even more alarming, while the number of businesses is growing at that slower pace, the number of people employed by women-owned companies has actually shrunk since 1997, according to a survey by American Express. more

In the ’90s, if you asked most women business owners what their dreams were, they’d say they just want to be able to support themselves and their families. The times have changed: Today, women have bigger dreams and seek to grow their businesses to the maximum level. However, many are still saddled with an outdated perception about their roles in business and contributions to the economy, despite tremendous growth over the past decade. more

Professional and financial support for women entrepreneurs appears to be increasing in Rhode Island, ranging from established organizations such as The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and the Center for Women & Enterprise to newer groups like the PVD Lady Project, whose co-founder, Sierra Barter, explained the group’s mission as to “connect, inspire and showcase awesome women doing amazing things in Providence.” more

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition has chosen six finalists for its 2013 competition, the organization announced. more

The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition has chosen six finalists for its 2013 competition, the organization announced Thursday. more

After two consecutive years of year-over-year first-quarter increases in business formations, the number of new businesses created during the first three months of 2013 fell nearly 4 percent compared with the first quarter of 2012, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis announced Monday. more

Social Venture Partners of Rhode Island provided a $20,000 loan to Metryx LLC, “further strengthening the collaboration between these two organizations,” said SVPRI in a release. more

Looking to use the power of art and design to transform the world of medicine, John Maeda, president of the Rhode Island School of Design, will present at this year’s TEDMED health and medicine conference at The Kennedy Center in Washington. more

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced the two winners of its 2013 Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship, an annual program designed to stimulate solutions to Rhode Island problems by the state’s residents. more

IlluminOss Medical Inc. has named Dirk M. Kuyper its new president and CEO effective Monday. Kuyper is taking over for Scott Rader, whose position with the company ended in late October, the company announced Tuesday. more