Start a New Business in Rhode Island
small business resources for women entrepreneurs
Being a business owner can be daunting, but you don't have to face it by yourself. I’m committed to helping you along the way - whether you’re just starting out or taking your business to the next level. That's why I’m sharing Rhode Island business development resources to support women like you on your entrepreneurial journey.
This is by no means a complete list. It’s a helping hand and a place for you to start researching the best resources for your needs. I believe we all do better when we share information with each other. If you know of a resource that would help our community and you’d like me to add it to this list, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!
Rhode Island Government Agencies
Rhode Island Department of State - Business Services Division
The Department of State Business Services Division maintains Rhode Island’s state business registry. While they record new business formations and ongoing business registration activity, they also provide thoughtful guidance and comprehensive services to those looking to start and maintain a business or nonprofit organization in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island businesses can learn to plan for success, start a new business, maintain your existing business, and close your business.
Foreign businesses can learn to plan for success, register your business in Rhode Island, maintain your business, and withdraw your business.
Nonprofit organizations can learn to plan for success, start a new nonprofit, maintain your existing nonprofit, and close your nonprofit.
148 West River Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02904
Phone: 401-222-3040
Rhode Island Department of State Business Services Division website
Rhode Island Commerce
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation works with public, private and nonprofit partners to help businesses in all sectors thrive. They also serve as a government and community resource to help businesses expand in, and relocate to, Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Commerce assists companies with:
Commercial real estate and property searches
Business financing, renewable energy grants, and science and technology grants
Tax credits and other incentives
Workforce training and talent development
315 Iron Horse Way
Suite 101
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
Phone: 401-278-9100
Rhode Island Commerce website
Rhode Island Small Business Administration - SBA
The Rhode Island SBA is supported by its district office in Providence. They provide services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
The Providence office serves the entire state of Rhode Island.
Examples of educational programs and events include The Business of Fashion, EmpowerHerTech, Google Certification, and QuickBooks Bootcamp.
380 Westminster Street
Room 511
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-528-4561
Rhode Island Small Business Administration website
Rhode Island Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations
Center for Women & Enterprise -CWE - Rhode Island
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization that empowers women to launch and successfully sustain businesses. It offers consultations, workshops, and networking opportunities to help you reach your entrepreneurial goals.
CWE provides education, training, technical assistance, and Women’s Business Enterprise (BWE) certification.
Clients represent a variety of racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
132 George M. Cohan Boulevard
Floor 2
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-277-0800
Center for Women & Enterprise CWE Rhode Island website
SCORE Rhode Island
SCORE Rhode Island, serving Rhode Island and the South Coast of Massachusetts, provides free mentoring and low-cost training to entrepreneurs in the planning stage of business development or ready to go to the next level of growth.
SCORE Rhode Island provides:
volunteer mentors who share their expertise across many industries
free, confidential business mentoring
free business tools, templates, and tips
inexpensive or free business workshops and webinars
380 Westminster Street
# 511
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-226-0077
SCORE Rhode Island website
Rhode Island Small Business Development Center - RI SBDC
Rhode Island SBDC provides RI small business owners with the services and expertise they need to succeed: no cost expert counseling, relevant training, and access to important resources.
Starting a business? Free no-cost or low cost seminars, led by counselors and business professionals, on popular topics related to starting and growing small businesses in Rhode Island, are geared towards new business owners and those in the pre-venture stage.
Need help with your existing business? No-cost, individual counseling can address financial planning, business plan development, market research, loan application development, branding, licensing and permits, and more.
Training Webinars: View past webinars or register for upcoming webinars offered by expert advisors.
Lead Office:
University of Rhode Island
Carlotti Administration Building
75 Lower College Road
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Phone: 401-874-7232
Service Center:
Providence Metro Office
315 Iron Horse Way
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
Phone: 401-490-0378
Rhode Island Small Business Development Center website
Additional outreach locations can be found in Lincoln, Providence, Warwick, Newport, Westerly, Warren, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and East Providence.
Funding - State and Federal Sources
U.S. Small Business Administration - Funding Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:
Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.
Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.
Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.
Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.
Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
Rhode Island Educational Institutions
University of Rhode Island - College of Business
The URI College of Business is the state’s flagship institution for business, education, research, and outreach.
Are you interested in starting your own business? Adding value to an existing company or joining your family’s business? A major in innovation and entrepreneurship will prepare you for success.
Classes in lean startup, design process, and small business management will teach you how to create value through innovative methods such as new products, services, business models, or processes. You also gain an understanding of how companies can benefit when all employees can recognize and evaluate opportunities. The curriculum includes opportunities for experiential learning in the classroom and in the business community.
45 Upper College Road
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Phone: 401-874-1000
University of Rhode Island College of Business website
Roger Williams University - Mario J. Gabelli School of Business
The Mario J. Gabelli School of Business develops independent leaders and business professionals, educated in both business theory and practice. The school offers a variety of business majors and minors designed to prepare students for the global marketplace.
If you are passionate about exploring new business models and the challenge of finding a marketplace niche, the University’s new Entrepreneurship course is for you. From the traditional entrepreneurship process to the more unconventional methods, this course breaks down the pathways and practices by which entrepreneurs transform ideas into valuable goods and services. Through hands-on lessons, students create a variety of business simulations using different entrepreneurship processes and are encouraged to open their minds to moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach to developing and launching an entrepreneurial business.
1 Old Ferry Road
Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Phone: 1-800-458-7144
Roger Williams University Mario J. Gabelli School of Business website
Rhode Island Business Publications
Providence Business First
Providence Business First delivers the latest breaking business news and events in the Providence area.
70 Franklin Street
8th floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Phone: 617-330-1000
Providence Business First website
Providence Business News - PBN
Providence Business News is your go-to source of in-depth and breaking news covering the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts business community that advances individual and company growth and success in local, state, and global markets.
400 Westminster Street
Suite 600
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-273-2201
Providence Business News website
Rhode Island Small Business Journal
Rhode Island Small Business Journal (RISBJ) is the go-to local resource for aspiring, first-time, and experienced entrepreneurs.
Each month, RISBJ and RISBJ.com feature some of Rhode Island’s top business experts writing on topics including tips on investing, taxes and payroll, the latest marketing trends, sales tactics, and real estate news.
1145 Reservoir Avenue
Suite 300
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
Phone: 855-511-9100