RIHub

🚨 Registration is now OPEN!

The Blue Venture Forum and Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) are excited to announce that attendee and exhibitor registration is now open for the Defense Investment Forum (DIF) 2026!

📅 October 28, 2026
📍 Wyndham Newport Hotel | Middletown, RI

DIF brings together investors, founders, government leaders, and maritime industry experts to explore the future of maritime defense, dual-use innovation, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, subsea technologies, and more.

⚓ With strong demand expected, this event is anticipated to sell out, register early to secure your spot!

https://blueventureforum.org/event/defense-investment-forum/

🎉 The wait is over! Registration is now OPEN for DESIGN WEEK RI 2026!!!

From September 10–18, explore workshops, panels, networking events, tours, and more celebrating Rhode Island's vibrant design community. Plus, don't miss the Statewide Open Studio Tours this November!

Browse the full calendar and reserve your spot today!
www.designxri.com

🌊 BlueTIDE 2026 Expands to a Two-Day Innovation Experience designed to move maritime and undersea innovation from technical experimentation to real-world demonstration.

The two-day event will bring together innovators, operators, decision makers, and investors to explore the future of autonomous systems, sensors, communications, and dual-use technologies.

📅 August 26, 2026🔹 Day One: Mission-Driven Experimentation (Closed Event)A focused, in-water experiment hosted at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport.

📅 August 27, 2026🔹 Day Two: Live Demonstration & Collaboration (Open Event)

Join the maritime innovation community at Sail Newport for live demonstrations, networking, and collaboration.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:✨ Experience cutting-edge maritime technologies✨ Connect with innovators, investors, and industry leaders✨ Discover emerging solutions for commercial and defense markets

🌊 Don’t miss this opportunity to see the future of maritime innovation in action. Learn more here: https://polaristeam.org/events/bluetide-2026-registration/

🌱 Industry Spotlight: Social Enterprises

Join Innovate Newport and Social Enterprise Greenhouse on August 20 for an evening of networking, interactive exhibits, and a fireside chat exploring how social enterprises balance mission with growth.

Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders shaping Rhode Island's impact economy.

📅 August 20
⏰ 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Innovate Newport

Register today! https://ow.ly/Sm4q50ZwGNw

Brown University is leading a virtual I-Corps Spark – Blue Tech cohort from October 1–29, designed for researchers, founders, and innovators developing technologies that support Earth's water resources.

The program helps participants validate market opportunities, explore commercialization pathways, and build connections with mentors, investors, and industry leaders across Blue Tech sectors, including defense, energy, transportation, aquaculture, and climate resilience.

If you're developing water-focused technologies, this is an outstanding opportunity to accelerate your path from innovation to impact.

APPLY TODAY!
https://ow.ly/m1zi50ZwGJY

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MONDAY!!!!

Calling High-Growth Startups! Ready to put your company in front of investors?

We're seeking market-ready or in market startups with strong traction and actively raising Seed to Series A ($750k-$10M). Selected companies will pitch live to investors and ecosystem leaders at the Newport Investor Summit on September 25, 2026, in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.

🔥 Pitch your startup
🔥 Gain visibility with investors
🔥 Expand your network
🔥 3 Tracks: Ocean, Health & Life Sciences and Open Tech

If selected, you'll receive one complimentary event pass to attend and pitch.

📅 Application Deadline: August 10

Think your startup is ready? Apply today and take the stage in Newport.

Apply to Pitch Here: https://newportinvestorsummit.com/pitch/

The energy at New England Female Founders & Friends (NEFF) was unmatched! ⚡

In partnership with the **Opal Group**, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders came together for a day of powerful conversations, meaningful connections, and new opportunities, and we're already seeing collaborations take shape.

The mission has never been more important: **40% of U.S. companies are founded by women, yet female-founded startups receive just 1% of venture capital funding, and women of color receive only 0.5%.** Together, we're working to change that.

A huge thank you to keynote speaker **Lata Setty**, speakers Ange Matthews, Naseem Sayani, Richard Lipkin, Tom Sperry, Rachel Butler, special guest Catherine Gray , and moderator Melissa Bowley. We're also grateful to our sponsors—Rogue Venture Partners, the Law Office of Michael Lima, Slater Technology Fund, UBS, and Aziro Group—for making this incredible event possible.

🚀 Who's ready for RI STARTUP WEEK 2026?! 🚀

The countdown is on for 8 incredible days celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and Rhode Island's startup ecosystem!

🔥 2,000+ registered participants🎤 50 amazing speakers📍 6 event venues📅 8 days of can't-miss events

Whether you're a founder, investor, student, creator, or simply curious about startups, RI Startup Week is open to the public! Many events are FREE to attend (registration may be required for individual sessions).

Start planning your week now—view the full event calendar and register today:
https://ristartupweek.com

Calling High-Growth Startups! Ready to put your company in front of investors?

Applications are now open for the Newport Investor Summit. We're seeking market-ready or in market startups with strong traction and actively raising Seed to Series A ($750k-$10M). Selected companies will pitch live to investors and ecosystem leaders at the Newport Investor Summit on September 25, 2026, in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.

🔥 Pitch your startup
🔥 Gain visibility with investors
🔥 Expand your network
🔥 3 Tracks: Ocean, Health & Life Sciences and Open Tech

If selected, you'll receive one complimentary event pass to attend and pitch.

📅 Application Deadline: August 10

Think your startup is ready? Apply today and take the stage in Newport.

Apply to Pitch Here: https://newportinvestorsummit.com/pitch/

⏰ Registration is closing soon for NEMIC's 2026–27 Health Innovator Pathways Program (HIPP)!

Formerly known as the Med Tech Leadership Program (MTLP), HIPP returns for its 8th cohort in less than a month, offering entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, engineers, students, and aspiring innovators a unique opportunity to explore what it takes to bring a HealthTech innovation to life.

With space limited to just 50 participants, seats are filling on a first-come, first-served basis.

If HealthTech innovation is part of your future, now is the time to apply!
https://ow.ly/hjgC50ZvPpW