Urban Ventures business incubator debuts new website

PROVIDENCE – With a mission to help launch and assist microbusinesses, incubator Urban Ventures of Rhode Island has revamped its website, the organization announced.

The group describes microbusinesses as “businesses with 10 or fewer people, [which] represent between 73 percent and 98 percent of all businesses in Rhode Island.”

Urban Ventures, created by the state legislature, began in 1999.

The nonprofit uses a concept called e-incubation to support microbusinesses, using an “equity-first focused” approach with entrepreneurs on their business ideas. According to the website, the group leads microbusiness owners through a process of discovery, and after launch provides them with resources and support to grow, using technology to deliver assistance.

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In 2010, Urban Ventures’ e-incubation concept helped the state win a $4.5 million federal broadband grant.

The new website is at www.urbanventuresri.org.

Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.