Social Enterprise Greenhouse Supports Local Entrepreneurs

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Local entrepreneurs share their innovative ideas for social change at a SEG event.

News Summary

Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) in Providence is fostering innovative businesses focused on social impact, helping entrepreneurs like Vincent Emery of Lil’ Rhody Coffee and Tess Feigenbaum of Epic Renewal. SEG’s rigorous programs aim to support local ventures addressing community challenges, while their new Empower Providence Microenterprise Accelerator will enhance training for microenterprises in collaboration with the City of Providence.

Providence – The Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG), a nonprofit organization in Providence, is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs in launching their innovative ideas with a focus on social impact. Recently, SEG has gained attention for its role in fostering local business ventures that aim to create positive change in the community.

Among the entrepreneurs benefitting from SEG’s support is Vincent Emery, the founder of Lil’ Rhody Coffee Company. His mission is to provide high-quality coffee while promoting social and environmental benefits. Emery is currently working on developing a modified coffee plant that is capable of thriving in conditions that are hotter and wetter, a response to climate change challenges. Lil’ Rhody Coffee is already making its mark, with products available on the shelves of Dave’s Market.

In addition to Emery, another notable entrepreneur in the SEG program is Tess Feigenbaum, cofounder of Epic Renewal, which focuses on composting food scraps and organic materials. Both entrepreneurs, along with many others, participate in SEG’s rigorous programs designed to drive social enterprise.

SEG operates on a competitive basis, where aspiring business owners apply for acceptance into its programs. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to leverage their businesses for social good, addressing various community challenges. Over 200 advisers provide expertise in areas such as capital access, financial forecasting, and marketing strategies, facilitating the launch and growth of these ventures.

At the helm of SEG is Julie Owens, the CEO, who underscores the organization’s mission of guiding entrepreneurs through the intricacies of establishing and running a successful business.

SEG has earned recognition in the community, including a nomination for “Community Treasures” by local advocate Roger Begin. The organization collaborates with Brown University and receives funding from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Back to Work RI Initiative. Since its founding in 2010, SEG has seen over 200 social ventures graduate from its Accelerator programs, highlighting its impact on local entrepreneurship.

Recently, SEG hosted a significant event known as the Impact Accelerator, which saw entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a live online audience. Some of the innovative concepts presented included ArmHug, AskPortia.ai, Beat the Streets New England, and Project Pasta. This event is part of SEG’s ongoing commitment to support local enterprises striving for positive social change.

In an effort to further support small businesses, SEG announced the Empower Providence Microenterprise Accelerator Program. This initiative is designed to provide eight weeks of business training tailored for Providence’s microenterprises, in partnership with Empower by GoDaddy. Scheduled to commence in October 2022, the program aims to serve 120 microenterprise businesses and is funded by the City of Providence’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza emphasized the importance of microenterprises in enriching community vitality, especially as they provide localized services that cater to the needs of the residents. The Empower Providence program is particularly focused on assisting minority entrepreneurs who face unique challenges in establishing their businesses, thus promoting equity in the local economy.

Collaborating with organizations such as the Rhode Island Black Business Association and the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SEG continues to pave the way for aspiring business owners in Rhode Island, striving to create a robust ecosystem for social entrepreneurship.