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Commerceri
Rhode Island, US · Founded 1995 · 73 employees on LinkedIn · 1 known investors
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Commerce RI is a state economic development organization that serves as Rhode Island's official commerce and economic development board. The organization brings together business leaders, government officials, and community advocates to support economic growth, business development, and workforce initiatives across the state.
Also known as Commerce RI · Rhode Island Commerce · Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Founders & leadership
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Rhode Island Commerce, also referred to as the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, is the State of Rhode Island's economic development agency. Its stated focus is fostering business growth, attracting new investment, creating jobs and strengthening the state economy, and it works with public, private and non-profit partners to create conditions for businesses across sectors to operate and to improve residents' quality of life through the state's long-term economic health.
The agency's support portfolio includes business grants, loans and financing programs, tax incentives, regulatory streamlining, workforce development and tailored business assistance for companies at different stages of growth, from technology startups and research projects to manufacturing and established firms. Program areas described on its site include SupplyRI, which connects local suppliers with major institutions through partnerships, networking and business opportunities; the Ocean Tech Hub, aimed at positioning Southeastern New England in undersea innovation and related economic and national security activity; export assistance delivered with Bryant University's Chafee Center and the U.S. Export Assistance Center; startup and innovation initiatives such as the Innovation Network Matching Grant program; and free introductory resources for small businesses on topics including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. It also administers emergency and impact-driven relief, such as the Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program for businesses affected by the closure and reconstruction of the northern span of the Washington Bridge.
Business model
As a state economic development agency, Rhode Island Commerce deploys public funds and policy tools — grants, loans and financing programs, tax incentives and regulatory streamlining — together with advisory and technical assistance services for businesses, rather than selling products commercially.
Traction
In its 2025 highlights the organization cited capital provided to small businesses, investment in key initiatives and technical assistance delivered to businesses. Cumulatively, its Innovation Network Matching Grant program had issued 62 grants worth more than $6.3 million as of June 2026, including $800,000 to 13 organizations in FY26.
Latest developments
On June 1, 2026, Governor Dan McKee, chair of the Commerce Corporation Board, announced $800,000 in FY26 Innovation Network Matching Grants to 13 organizations, with individual awards of $50,000 to $75,000 supporting technical assistance, incubation, capital access and workspace for small businesses and startups.
▸Full profile — market position, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Rhode Island Commerce presents itself as the state's central economic development agency and a single point of contact for business assistance, funding and incentives in Rhode Island.
Go-to-market
The agency reaches businesses through direct business advisor contact and inquiry forms, an email newsletter, published program pages and application processes, and partnerships with chambers of commerce, universities, federal agencies and local nonprofit and community organizations; some grant programs are administered jointly with municipalities such as Providence and East Providence or with intermediaries including Skills for Rhode Island's Future.
Rhode Island-based businesses and organizations, including small businesses, high-growth and early-stage startups, technology companies, research projects, manufacturers and established firms, as well as companies considering locating or expanding in the state; nonprofit entities are eligible for certain grant programs.
Geography
Headquartered at 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence, Rhode Island, with programs serving businesses statewide; regional initiatives such as the Ocean Tech Hub address Southeastern New England, and export programs support businesses entering international markets.
History
The Innovation Network Matching Grant program, one of the agency's startup-support initiatives, began in 2016; as of June 2026, Commerce reported having awarded 62 such grants totaling more than $6.3 million. In 2024 the agency administered the Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program for businesses outside Providence and East Providence, with application windows closing in October 2024.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 2
launches, deals, and filingsGovernor Dan McKee, chair of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Board, announced that the Board awarded $800,000 through the Innovation Network Matching Grant program to 13 organizations that support small businesses and high-growth startups via technical assistance, flexible-term space and/or access to capital. Awards ranged from $50,000 to $75,000 and went to CreSer Evoluciona, Hope & Main, New England Medical Innovation Center, Newport County Development Council, Nova Design, Turtle Island Community Capital, Rhode Island Black Business Association, RI Bio, Rogue Island Ventures, Sincere Multiservice, Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Small Business Collective and Social Enterprise Greenhouse.
$800K source ↗
Applications closed on October 8, 2024 for businesses in Providence and for businesses located outside Providence and East Providence, and on October 22, 2024 for businesses in East Providence. The program provided grants of $500, $1,000 and $2,500 to Rhode Island small businesses with at least $500 and 10% revenue loss tied to the closure and reconstruction of the northern span of the Washington Bridge; grants outside Providence and East Providence were administered by Rhode Island Commerce.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Commercericommerceri.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Commerceri do?
- Rhode Island Commerce is the state's economic development agency providing funding, incentives and business assistance.
- Who are Commerceri's investors?
- Commerceri's investors include Slater Technology Fund.
- Where is Commerceri headquartered?
- Commerceri is headquartered in Rhode Island, US.