PROVIDENCE – Ten local small businesses received $172,000 in seed funding from DESIGNxRI as part of the organization’s 2024 Design Catalyst Program, the design advocacy nonprofit announced Monday.
The Design Catalyst program, led by DESIGNxRI and partners with CIC Providence, the city of Providence, R.I. Commerce Corp. and the R.I. Department of Labor and Training’s Real Jobs RI program, helps boost small design business growth by offering grant capital, mentorship and business training. As part of the latest seed-funding offering, the businesses, DESIGNxRI says, will be partnered with mentors and will have access to a tailored business education program.
“So much of Rhode Island’s identity and personality is shaped by our small businesses,” DESIGNxRI Co-Executive Director Berit Lavender said in a statement. “The incredible talent and entrepreneurship of our state is what makes this place so amazing. The Design Catalyst program helps ensure the health and vibrancy of the creative communities we cherish as Rhode Islanders.”
The organizations that received seed funding from DESIGNxRI are:
- Audio Geography
- Big Nazo
- Blue Tomato Studio LLC
- Feel Fine Jewelry
- Fulcrum Stained Glass
- M. Hainey
- Public LLC
- Storytime Online
- Studio Ayumia
- Therese Iacono Photography
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.