The Rhode Island Innovation Awards, presented by the Providence Business News in partnership with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, and sponsored by Cox Business and Bryant University, are designed to honor Rhode Island-based companies, organizations and individuals that constantly replace existing methods, models and products with better ones.

The 4th Annual Rhode Island Innovation Awards has expanded to better represent the diversity of creative innovations in different industries.

In 2009, there will be six awards honoring Innovations of the Year.

Categories for Innovation of the Year Awards:

• Energy and the Environment 
• Healthcare and Biotechnology
• Manufacturing and Construction (engineering, architecture)
• Social and Community Services (nonprofits, education, government)
• Information Technology 
• Professional Services (finance, hospitality, legal)

There are four additional awards:

• Innovator of the Year
• Rising Star Innovator (under age of 35)
• Student Innovator (high school or college)
• Innovation Champion (individual or organization that fosters innovation)

A short application form is due by August 21. Apply Now!

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges and celebrated at an awards dinner and ceremony, Wednesday, September 23 at Bryant University’s Bello Center.

This past summer, the EDC had the pleasure of announcing that fast-growing software company inQuest Technologies had decided to relocate from Southborough, MA to Providence.

Now that the build-out of their excellent new offices is complete, they are generously inviting the community in for a luncheon and tour. Please join Governor Carcieri, Mayor Cicilline and other local dignitaries in welcoming them and celebrating their arrival.

DATE: Wednesday, February 11th
TIME: 11:30am-2pm
LOCATION: 300 West Exchange Street, Providence, RI

RSVP: Antonella Persechino at 800.254.4050 or via email at apersechino@inquesttechnologies.com

And inQuest continues to hire. This a good opportunity to get a sense of the company and meet the team.

The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation will host two financing educational seminars this month targeting the state's small business community: "Navigating the Credit Crunch: Alternative Lending Sources " on Wednesday, November 19 at noon and "Financing Fast Growth " on Tuesday, November 25 at 10 a.m. Both events will be held at the RIEDC's Providence offices located at 555 Valley St., Providence and are free to the public.

The first seminar, "Navigating the Credit Crunch: Alternative Lending Sources," will feature a moderated panel discussion introducing local companies to non-bank sources of debt capital that can be used to expand and grow small businesses. Local businesses will meet alternative asset-based lenders, learn how their loan products work and create relationships with potential new lending sources. The panel, moderated by Commercial Financial Consulting's Ralph X. Stone, includes: Peter Aransky, Greenfield Commercial Credit; George P. Gochis, Diamond Business Credit; Jack O'Neil, Danvers Savings Bank; and David McIlroy, Wells Fargo Business Credit. The program and lunch are free, but registration ends on November 17. Please RSVP to Meghan O'Connor at moconnor [at] riedc.com

The second seminar, "Financing Fast Growth," will detail early stage capital sources for fast growing companies in Rhode Island, featuring local equity and near equity capital providers followed by lunch and networking. The event is hosted by Clear Venture Partners, a venture capital fund that acts as a venture educator and developer in secondary cities throughout northern New England. Attendees will learn about equity sources and how to tap into them, the venture capital process, how angel investors differ from venture capital, and innovation and technology grants. Panelists include: Michael Gurau and Michael Burgmaier, Clear Venture Partners; Richard G. Horan, Slater Technology Fund; Peter Dorsey, Cherrystone Angels and BDCRI; Tim O'Loughlin, Vencore Capital; and Richard Ferro, RLF Management Services. The program and lunch are free, but registration ends on November 18. Please RSVP to Jen Walker at jw [at] clearvcs.com

The third annual Rhode Island Innovation Awards (presented by the Providence Business News in partnership with the RIEDC and Tech Collective, and sponsored by Cox Business) are designed to honor Rhode Island-based companies, organizations and individuals that constantly replace existing methods, models and products with better ones.

Past winners include several info-tech and digital media organizations and entrepreneurs such as: Matt Grigsby, developer of Ecolect.net, a free website that helps those interested in sustainable design source sustainable materials; Brian Jepson and Jack Templin, Co-Founders of Providence Geeks; and Item Group, a product design firm that does everything from hardware to software to firmware.

Innovation Awards winners will be honored at the annual Tech Laureates Night, held at Kirkbrae Country Club on September 18, and will be published in a Providence Business News special report released in September.

Awards include: 

• Innovation of the Year
• Innovation Champion
• Collaborative Innovation Leader
• Innovator of the Year
• Rising Star Innovator
• Student Innovator
• Innovation Champion

To apply, fill out the short application form. It's due by August 20. Good luck!

Meghan O'Connor is Communications Coordinator at the RIEDC.

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the special RI Nexus breakfast event on December 6. More than 100 people showed up to take part in an impressive panel discussion about next generation working spaces in Rhode Island. The conversation has been started. Let the fun begin! Stay tuned for upcoming RI Nexus events and forums in 2008. And, as always, feel free to submit ideas or suggestions on forum topics on the site.

With that said, in case you missed the event or if you just want a re-cap, check out Patricia Resendes’ take on the panel discussion.