PROVIDENCE - (April 30, 2021) - The Rhode Island Business Competition announced that three finalists have been chosen in the 2021 competition and they are competing for awards totaling over $150,000 in cash and prizes. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 6th at 5 pm; it will be a virtual event produced by Venture Café. To register, please visit - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhode-island-business-competition-award-ceremony-tickets-147622566069

In a joint statement, RIBC Co-Chairs Peggy Farrell, Partner at Hinckley Allen, and Anthony Mangiarelli, Partner at KLR, noted "We are excited to showcase these businesses even with our awards ceremony being virtual. It is important for us to celebrate the dedication and hard work of these talented entrepreneurs."

Following are the finalists for this year's Competition -

Asian Feed is the leading media outlet for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Principal applicant: Justin Kim

Flourish Collective is the only platform that puts women in control of their family’s wellness by facilitating spending during pregnancy on evidence-based goods and services. Principal applicant: Melissa Bowley

Mocingbird has produced a product that aligns curated continuing medical education (CME) content to clinicians' board, state, and other ongoing requirements while also allowing healthcare organizations to manage clinician compliance real-time while automating existing manual, paper-based tasks. Principal applicant: Brad Artery

Serving as judges for this year are -

• Kim Anderson, Impact Investor and Owner of Plant City
• Bob Chatham, Director at Slater Technology Fund
• Peggy Farrell, Partner at Hinckley Allen
• Katharine Flynn, Executive Director at URI's Business Engagement Center
• David Hirsch, Partner at Hinckley Allen
• Todd Knapp, CEO at Envision Technology Advisors
• Anthony Mangiarelli, Partner at KLR
• Jennifer Rousseau, Director of Strategic Planning for New Ventures at Altus Dental
• Lydia Shin Schroter, Managing Director at New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC)
• Annette Tonti, Managing Director at RIHub
• Zachary Weinberger, Partner at Sprout CoWorking

The prizes consisting of cash and in-kind services are provided by dozens of sponsors, including banks, investors, colleges and universities, professional services firms, non-profits, construction, health related, software, retail, and other businesses as well as former competitors.

Sponsors of the 2021 Rhode Island Business Competition

Pillar sponsors are Cox Business, Everhope Foundation, and Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund. Other lead sponsors include Envision Technology Advisors, Hinckley Allen, Integrated Media Group, KLR, Sprout Coworking, and Tech Collective.

Also sponsoring are Barlow, Josephs & Holmes, Ltd., Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, Brown University Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, Bryant University, Center for Women & Enterprise, FM Global, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and Luminous Creative Agency.

Additional sponsors include Bank Rhode Island, Bristol County Savings Bank, Business Development Company, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Dimeo Construction Company, Navigant Credit Union, Pawtucket Credit Union, Peter George, Slater Technology Fund, Washington Trust Company, BankNewport, Cherrystone Angel Group, CVS/Health, Fidelity Investments, The Idea Turbine, Morgan Stanley - Richard Carriere, Newport Biodiesel, and StormTree.

The Rhode Island Business Competition aims to create and foster growth companies in Rhode Island that will increase local employment. This non-profit is supported by a broad range of sponsors that include private businesses, investors, foundations, colleges and universities, public entities, nonprofit organizations, and former competitors. Today, it is the leading community-supported business plan competition in the Northeast. The Competition encourages plans for new businesses, as well as from early-stage companies.