Providence Design Catalyst grant program recipients unveiled

DESIGNXRI HAS announced the recipients of the Providence Design Catalyst grant program.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
DESIGNXRI HAS announced the recipients of the Providence Design Catalyst grant program. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – DESIGNxRI has unveiled recipients of the Providence Design Catalyst grant program, in which 17 city businesses will receive up to $35,000 each.

The Providence Design Catalyst program, a partnership between DESIGNxRI, Rhode Island School of Design, the city of Providence and Social Enterprise Greenhouse, is the first design business grant program aimed at encouraging small design business growth in the city by providing seed capital, mentoring and technical assistance.

The following businesses were selected for grants:

  • Atelier Rosenkrantz: $27,500
  • AV Productions: $22,000
  • Bela Monde: $35,000
  • Christian Thomas Designs: $25,000
  • Fulcrum Product Development: $20,000
  • Heather Guidero Jewelry: $35,000
  • ILOROM: $35,000
  • Increment: $20,000
  • Joshua Shockley Interior Design: $15,000
  • Linkmount Systems: $35,000
  • LLAMAproduct/Headmaster Magazine: $27,500
  • Nest Homeware: $25,000
  • Oblique Studio: $25,000
  • Spirare Surfboards: $25,000
  • Sproutel: $25,000
  • Studio Endo: $35,000
  • There Will Be Cake: $12,000

“Providence is deeply rooted in art- and design-based industries. The Providence Design Catalyst program builds on that strength by enabling small businesses to get off the ground and grow in the Creative Capital,” Mayor Jorge O. Elorza said in a statement. “The winners of this innovative and creative funding opportunity will continue to support our design scene and thrive here in Providence.”

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Grant awards to these businesses range between $12,000 and $35,000. A total of $444,000 was awarded. Awardees also will be partnered with a mentor, take part in educational workshops and meet monthly for peer-to-peer engagement during the four-month program from January to April 2016.

Awardees range from a cast iron homeware company, a luthier, and furniture design, architecture and design/build companies, to a smartphone accessory company, jewelry and textiles companies and graphics and interior design firms.

“We were incredibly impressed with the quality and quantity of applications for a first-time design grant program,” Lisa Carnevale, co-founder and director of DESIGNxRI, said in a statement. “This created a highly competitive process. The final awardees represent an exciting group of design businesses in our city, and we look forward to working with them.”

Forty-two applications were received from design-driven businesses.
Applicants were then evaluated based on the experience of the business owner; a project’s ability to sustain, strengthen or grow business; probability of success; and potential contribution to the economic development of Providence.

The Providence Design Catalyst program is funded by $500,000 in federal funds through the city of Providence. It is being administered by DESIGNxRI with help from an advisory committee comprised of representatives of the city and partnering organizations.

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