Before We Begin
Announcements and the like.
Dana: Good afternoon, Rhode Island!
Business ventures within the North End Urban Plan are starting to ramp up almost a year after the plan was accepted into Newport’s land use plan. The area selected for redevelopment was targeted for growth within the area’s blue institutional economy.
Recently, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and Innovate Newport announced a BlueTech Startup Competition as a side event to coincide with the Blue Innovation Symposium starting Feb. 22. Judges from the U.S. and Israel will listen to pitches from up to eight startups, four American and four Israeli, for a cash prize and a customized trip to the other partner country.
The Big One
A breakdown of the day's biggest Inno story.
Dana: It’s been less than a year since Artist Republik took home the first place prize from RI Inno’s Fire Awards. By last summer the Providence-based startup had raised more than $500K from various investors including David Beirne, one of the original five general partners at Benchmark Capital.
Now, the company has announced it was purchased by Friendable Inc. alongside Fan Pass Live, a startup that enables fans to connect directly to artists via livestream.
Combining the services of Fan Pass alongside the distribution, marketing and artist tool kits of Artist Republik offers a new opportunity for growth and additional services for both companies, according to former Artist Republik CEO Nicholas Cianfaglione.
Read more: Music management startup Artist Republik acquired
Featured Jobs
Below are featured jobs from our Careers Directory. To feature a job in this newsletter, read more.
In the Know
The local startup and innovation stories you need to read today.
— Rhode Island Inno
New England Roundup
News from the startup scenes of the other five New England states.
Massachusetts: Boston-based meQuilibrium is expanding its digital platform with the launch of its first biometric tool. The company believes developing resilience in the workplace is a science, and its digital platform uses AI, predictive analytics and neuroscience to help employees work through challenges. Read more at BostInno
Maine: The third and final ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers, the Lyndon B. Johnson, sailed away from Bath Iron Works. This allows the shipyard to now focus on a different class of destroyers. Read more on MaineBiz
Connecticut: The Department of Consumer Protection recently announced that the 90-day window for prospective retail dispensaries to submit license applications begins Feb. 3, a key milestone in the state’s efforts to stand up the recreational cannabis market. Read more on Hartford Business Journal
Vermont: The Regional Development Corporations of Vermont have been chosen by the Vermont Small Business Development Center to participate in the new Community Navigator Pilot Program. Read more on Vermont Biz
New Hampshire: Boho Pop-Up Picnic in Bedford delivers luxurious picnics to clients wherever they want. After seeing the upscale picnic trend sweep across social media, Tanya Tobin was inspired to start her own business. Read more on BusinessNH
Elsewhere in Inno
Stories from around the Inno network we think you'll dig.
Rhody Innovator Spotlight
A space for an exceptional mover and shaker to shine.
Dana: Coming up later this week, Composite Energy Technologies Inc. (CET), a Rhode Island company specializing in building underwater vehicles, recently won a U.S. Navy-sponsored hackathon by targeting drug smuggling routes with artificial intelligence.
In conjunction with Spear AI and Current Lab, the Bristol-based CET took home first prize in the HACKtheMACHINE unmanned competition, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), multiple naval program executive offices and industry partners last month.
Stay tuned!
In the Community
The events and happenings to know in the ecosystem.
For more upcoming events, be sure to check out this month's Inno-approved events calendar or browse the Inno events directory.
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OffBeat
Where the newsletter does its own thing.
Dana: It's been almost a year since Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee's predecessor resigned from the job mid-term and left McKee to continue the work. Tonight, the governor will deliver his first state of the state speech at 7 p.m.
With a recent spike in Covid-19 cases over the last month and a roll out of additional free testing this week, McKee is expected to address the continuing pandemic and its economic toll. McKee extended the state's public health emergency through Feb. 4.
If you’re launching or funding a new business, please send me tips about new tech, innovation or startups in Rhode Island. dforsythe8@gmail.com
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