RIHub

🎉 HUGE NEWS from a RIHub VMS Alumni we all know and love! 🎉

Congratulations to **Eric Moyal and the team at Project Insulin** on reaching a major milestone:

🧬 **Project Insulin is officially starting drug development!**

After more than five years of building their scientific team, organizational infrastructure, and development strategy, Project Insulin has signed a partnership agreement with a global leader in E. coli manufacturing and will begin development work in mid-July.

This marks a significant step toward their mission of increasing access to affordable insulin. The partnership will support the design of a biosimilar insulin glargine molecule, manufacturing strain selection, and the development of production and characterization processes.

We're incredibly proud to have watched this venture grow through the RIHub VMS community and can't wait to see what comes next.

🚀 Congratulations, Eric and the entire Project Insulin team!

🔗 Read the press release and learn more about this exciting milestone.
https://projectinsulin.org/pressreleases/

🌊🚀 SeaAhead Demo Week is here!

**June 24–25, 2026 in Boston’s Seaport District** Two days of cutting-edge innovation in the future of the ocean economy.

Featuring **20+ startups** and leaders across industry, government, and research, this event spotlights breakthrough solutions in:
🌊 Coastal resilience & climate risk
🤖 Robotics & maritime efficiency
📡 Real-time ocean data & sensing
🧱 Materials science & shoreline protection
📊 Resilience, planning & decision tools

From pilot-ready startups to real-world collaboration opportunities, this is where the bluetech ecosystem comes together.

If you're working in coastal infrastructure, climate risk, maritime systems, or innovation—this is the room to be in.

📍 Boston Seaport District
📅 June 24–25, 2026
REGISTER HERE: https://luma.com/f65j7s1p

Let’s build the future of the ocean economy—together.

🍕🎤 Pizza & Pitches is back!

Join us TONIGHT from 4:00–6:00 PM at the CIC Innovators Lounge for a unique opportunity to connect directly with investors in a series of one-on-one conversations.

WALK INS WELCOME!

Think speed dating—but for startups. Founders will rotate through short discussions with investors to share ideas, ask questions, and receive feedback and insights.

⚠️ This is NOT a spectator event. Participation is required, and space is limited. Pleae register in advance to reserve a conversation slot.

Whether you’re refining an idea, testing assumptions, or looking for investor perspectives, this is a valuable chance to engage directly with experienced professionals in a low-pressure environment.

📍 CIC Innovators Lounge
📅 Wednesday, June 10, 2026
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM

🎟️ Reserve your spot: https://zfrmz.com/i5pT94tYO0TCt7CMr98

🔥 NEFF 2026 Speaker Reveal is Here! 🔥

RIHub’s New England Female Founders & Friends (NEFF) returns on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and we’re bringing together an incredible lineup of investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders for an unforgettable afternoon at the beautiful OceanCliff Hotel in Newport.

🎤 Keynote SpeakerLata SettyFounding LP, Investor & Deal Flow Advisor, How Women Invest

🌟 Special GuestCatherine GrayProducer, Show Her The Money

💡 Featured Panelists• Naseem Sayani, Venture Partner, How Women Invest• Richard Lipkin, Advisor, Catalytic Impact / Easton Capital• Tom Sperry, Managing Partner, Rogue Venture Partners• Rachel Butler, President, Catalytic Impact Foundation

Join founders, investors, innovators, creatives, and community leaders from across New England for an afternoon of meaningful connections, candid conversations, and insights on funding, entrepreneurship, and building what’s next.

📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 OceanCliff Hotel, Newport, RI

Last year’s event sold out and delivered an incredible afternoon of energy, inspiration, and connection. This year’s lineup is raising the bar even higher.

🎟️ Get your ticket now. You are going to want a seat in this room.
https://zfrmz.com/nrsASNsXYoE8gDje3nFJ

💡 Rhode Island’s own Ted (Howell) Talks to founders!

If you’ve ever wondered how investors evaluate opportunities—or what founders should be thinking about before raising capital—don’t miss Investor Math and the Founder’s Calculus with Ted Howell.

Ted Howell, founder of Howell Legal and trusted startup advisor, has helped countless entrepreneurs navigate fundraising, valuation, and deal structuring. In this engaging session, he’ll break down how deals are appraised from both sides of the table—without the confusing legal jargon.

Whether you’re actively fundraising, planning ahead, or simply curious about how investors think, this is a must-attend conversation for founders.

📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
⏰ 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 Innovate Newport
Free and open to the public

Come for the insights. Leave with a clearer understanding of the numbers, negotiations, and decisions that shape startup funding. 🚀

Sign up HERE: https://forms.zohopublic.com/rihub/form/IgniteInvestorMathandtheFoundersCalculus/formperma/oaLPYUjAwQdVjvdI0GUi2y7zhomVjJCFaDWuWpbKYNU

🍕🎤 Pizza & Pitches is back!

Join us Wednesday, June 10 from 4:00–6:00 PM at the CIC Innovators Lounge for a unique opportunity to connect directly with investors in a series of one-on-one conversations.

Think speed dating—but for startups. Founders will rotate through short discussions with investors to share ideas, ask questions, and receive feedback and insights.

⚠️ This is NOT a spectator event. Participation is required, and space is limited. Pleae register in advance to reserve a conversation slot.

Whether you’re refining an idea, testing assumptions, or looking for investor perspectives, this is a valuable chance to engage directly with experienced professionals in a low-pressure environment.

📍 CIC Innovators Lounge
📅 Wednesday, June 10, 2026
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM

🎟️ Reserve your spot: https://zfrmz.com/i5pT94tYO0TCt7CMr98

🚀 SEG Spring 2026 Accelerator Pitch Night is almost here!

Join us on June 25th | 6:00–8:00 PM | SEG Hub for an evening of bold ideas, community energy, and impact-driven entrepreneurship.

Think back to the momentum of our April Impact Showcase — now imagine what’s next.

🔥 Founders across industries will take the stage to pitch their ventures
🏆 Competing for prizes + a chance to advance to our Impact Showcase stage
🌱 Early-stage ideas with real potential for real-world change

Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, community member, or just curious about Rhode Island’s growing innovation ecosystem, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

Come see the future being built — before it hits the big stage. 💡

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/S1IK50Z5fMG

🚨 TONIGHT! Rhode Island founders, builders, investors, operators, and startup supporters—don't miss this special NY Tech Week gathering.

Join Aboard, Emme, RIHub, RI Ideation Studio, and others for an informal virtual meetup connecting Rhode Islanders who are building, backing, and growing innovative ventures.

Whether you're launching a startup, supporting entrepreneurs, or simply looking to expand your network, this is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members of the ecosystem.

💻 Virtual Event
🔗 Sign up now to get the link and join us tonight!
https://partiful.com/e/EcR6NVZnma40IIGxV878?rsvp=true

Part of —a week of events hosted by startups and VCs bringing together the tech ecosystem.

See you there!

⚙️ Clambake: Creative Conversation
Featuring designers Adam Dau + Lukas Scheurer

Join DesignXRI on Wednesday, June 17 at Moniker Brewery in Providence for an evening exploring two very different approaches to product design and development.

From hands-on fabrication and custom machining to designing for large-scale manufacturing abroad, this conversation dives into the realities, challenges, and creative decisions behind bringing products to life at different scales.

Whether you’re a designer, maker, entrepreneur, or just curious about the creative process, this is a conversation worth joining.

📍 Moniker Brewery, Providence
🗓️ Wednesday, June 17
🔗 Sign up: https://www.designxri.com/programs-and-events/creative-conversations

✨ Celebrate culture, community, and cuisine at Taste of Juneteenth New England 2026 ✨

Don't miss this event! Friday, June 19 | 11 AM – 4 PM at Farm Fresh RI, a vibrant community celebration showcasing foods and food culture from across the African Diaspora.

This FREE public event creates space to honor the history and significance of Juneteenth while supporting Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and food vendors from across the region.

❤️ Great food
🎶 Community celebration
🛍️ Black-owned businesses
📚 Cultural history + connection

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas were finally freed — more than two years after slavery had officially been outlawed.

📍 Farm Fresh RI
10 Sims Ave, Providence, RI
🔗 Learn more: https://tasteofjuneteenthne.org