The Providence-based nonprofit business incubator and accelerator Social Enterprise Greenhouse is expanding its services in the Newport area. The organization has opened a location at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport, and appointed a Newport program director.
Juan Carlos Payero will be responsible for developing programming for social entrepreneurs in and around Newport. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from St. John’s University and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. He is also a Portsmouth School Committee member.
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PBN: What is SEG’s strategy in Newport? What are some anticipated opportunities and challenges?
PAYERO: We are very excited about the prospect of helping to build a “do well, do good” economy that creates more opportunity for all Newporters. We want to ensure that our efforts are additive, and we recognize that learning, listening and adaptation are necessary first steps. Ultimately, we aim to create business-development services that support the strengths and assets of all of the communities in the state.
PBN: How does the “entrepreneurship ecosystem” differ in the Newport area from the Providence area?
PAYERO: As we reengage with the ecosystem in Newport, we look forward to discovering its special qualities. We have learned there is an amazing amount of innovation occurring on Aquidneck Island and in surrounding communities, including exciting efforts focused on the environment and resilience. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be boots on the ground and hopefully be a collaborator in these efforts.
PBN: The Newport program has been described as providing programming for “Newport and the surrounding communities.” What are those communities?
PAYERO: We have a desk and plan to offer some programming at Innovate Newport, and we will provide programming in other locations as well, with the goal of serving all of the East Bay.
Our expansion into the Newport area is partially funded by a grant we received from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. As part of that grant, we have committed to serving entrepreneurs in opportunity zones. We’ll be targeting some of our outreach to the North End of Newport and plan to collaborate with leading local organizations such as Working Cities Newport and others.
PBN: Was SEG working with the Newport community prior to having team members dedicated to focusing on building a presence and serving this community?
PAYERO: SEG’s mission is to work with all “do well, do good” entrepreneurs in the state and beyond. A number of social impact ventures in the Newport area have engaged with us over the years and are still connected to us. However, because our co-working space, the SEG Hub, is in Providence, distance can be a barrier.
We hope our local presence will encourage people to feel a part of and welcomed by the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. We intend to connect and engage with the many entrepreneurs who are not yet accessing all the ecosystem has to offer and help them launch and grow businesses.
PBN: What services can entrepreneurs expect from Social Enterprise Greenhouse in Newport?
PAYERO: Any entrepreneur with a social impact mission is able to access our core services, including our incubator, accelerator, loan fund, advising, internship matching, and so on. At this point, we are simply asking our potential stakeholders – Newport County entrepreneurs, particularly those in the North End – what they want and need. From there, we will develop our strategy, which may include new approaches or services. The goal is to meet people where they are and add to existing efforts.
William Hamilton is PBN staff writer and special projects editor. You can follow him on Twitter @waham or email him at hamilton@pbn.com.
