Seven Finalists Selected in 2016 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition

PROVIDENCE, RI – Seven finalists have been chosen in the 2016 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition that will award prizes valued at nearly $225,000 when winners are announced early next month.

The finalists have proposed businesses that address problems in biotech, consumer, health care, information technology, and manufacturing industries.

All finalists will briefly present their business idea at an Awards Ceremony on May 3 at the Chace Center/RISD Museum in Providence, after which the winners will be announced.

Following are the finalists:

Entrepreneur Track Finalists

Finalists in the Entrepreneur Track include the following:

Neurocurious is developing a computer vision algorithm to automate collection of rodent behavior data, aimed at reducing costs related to this significant component of pharmaceutical R&D. Principal applicant: Kurt Spindler, Providence.

Neurotecnix proposed a electroencephalography system for non-invasive recording of brain activity with software, which objectively measures and localizes pain. Principal applicant: Adam Nitenson, Providence.

Response Technologies is developing a manufacturing process that makes fuel tanks explosion resistant while reducing weight and lowering production costs. Principal applicant: Ed Bard, Cumberland.

XactSense has created a drone-based hardware-software system to survey and inspect hard-to-reach infrastructure components at significantly lower cost and time than traditional methods permit. Principal applicant: Andy Trench, Warwick.

Student Track Finalists

Finalists in the Student Track include the following:

Farmer Willie’s is developing a gluten-free, craft beer that serves the niche ginger beer market. Principal applicant: Nicolas Enriquez, Brown University.

PICCPerfect has developed a functional accessory that enables chronically ill patients to manage peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines to avoid dislodging lines and preventing irritation or infection. Principal applicant: Emily Levy, Babson College.

Vinespect is developing a handheld optical tester that instantaneously and non-destructively determines sugar, pH, and acidity of on-vine grapes, allowing viticulturists to make more frequent field measurements. Principal applicant: Richard McDonald, Brown University

Originally entered in the Entrepreneur Track, Farmer Willie’s was transferred to the Student Track as the principals are students.

Sponsors of the 2016 Competition

Lead sponsors of the 2016 Competition are Bryant University, Focus Vision Media, Hinckley Allen, KLR, Locke Lord, Pure Haven Essentials, and the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund.

Also sponsoring this year’s competition are Bank of America, Barlow, Joseph & Holmes, Ltd., Betaspring, Brown University, Center for Women and Enterprise, Cumulus Media/AM 790, Embolden, Envision Technology Advisors, Ever Hope Foundation, FM Global, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, GrowthLab Financial, Hatch Entrepreneurial Center, Johnson & Wales University, Providence Business News, Roger Williams University, Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Tech Collective, University of Rhode Island College of Business Administration.

Additional sponsors include AAA Southern New England, Bank Rhode Island, Beacon Mutual Insurance Co., Bridge.jobs, Business Development Company, Care New England Health System, Citizens Bank, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Dimeo Construction Company, Gencorp Insurance Group, Gilbane Building Company, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, The Moore Company, Richard Carriere – Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Navigant Credit Union, Nortek, Santander Bank, ShapeUp, Slater Technology Fund, Teknor Apex, and The Washington Trust Company.

Other sponsors: Bank Newport, Biomedical Structures, Cherrystone Angel Group, Community College of Rhode Island, CompNet Insurance Solutions, CVS Health, Deepwater Wind, Freedom National Bank, Hayes & Sherry Real Estate Services, InsureMyTrip, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Starkweather & Shepley, StormTree, and Ximedica.

About the Competition

Established in 2000, the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition supports businesses that have the potential to grow and create jobs in Rhode Island, and has been recognized as one of the top 40 business plan competitions in the country. To date, it has awarded more than $1.8 million in prizes, and today more than 30 companies employing about 300 people currently operate. This year marks the thirteenth time the Competition has been held, annually since 2006.

The Competition is free and open to everyone age 18 or over whether or not they already have started a business. Complete information is available at www.ri-bizplan.com.

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