Rhode Island may be a small state, but it has a solid startup ecosystem. Innovation from the state university and a tight-knit community make this state home to many successful new businesses. Venture capital is available for businesses, and VC firms especially like to partner with startups that have aspirations beyond Rhode Island's borders.
We also recommend checking out our full list of the top venture capital firms.
Best Venture Capital Firms in Rhode Island
1. Providence Equity Partners
- Location: Providence, RI
- Industries: Media, Communications, Education, Technology
- Stage: Growth
- Notable Portfolio Companies: North Road Company, Sweetwater, Tempo, Worldwide Express, TopGolf
Providence Equity Partners invests in growing companies rather than ones that need restructuring. The firm targets middle-market companies that have valuations below $1.5 billion. Many of Providence Equity Partners' investments are acquisitions. There are also some partnerships in the firm's portfolio, though.
2. Slater Technology Fund
- Location: Providence, RI
- Industries: Technology
- Stage: Seed
- Notable Portfolio Companies: HappyNest, Illuminoss, CarbonPoint Solutions, Andrea, Advanced Image Enhancement
Slater Technology Fund invests seed money in companies that have high-growth potential. The firm focuses on technology companies in the software, energy, and life sciences spaces. Most companies receive $1 million or a little more, and all companies must commit to building locally in Rhode Island.
3. RevUp Capital
- Location: Providence, RI
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
- Stage: Seed, Early Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: BirdBrain Technologies, Cortex, Wicked Good Cookies, TreatSpace, Athlean-X
RevUp Capital is industry and geographically agnostic. The Providence-based firm invests in companies with revenues of $500,000–$3 million and that target $10 million–$30 million revenues within three to five years. Investments require non-diluted equity stakes. The firm has a special focus on minority-owned companies and has partnered with many women and black founders. Opportunities aren't exclusively available to minorities, however.
4. Brookside Private Equity
- Location: West Warwick, RI
- Industries: Consumer Goods, Home Textiles, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Healthcare, Real Estate, Business Services, Supply Chain/Distribution
- Stage: Growth
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Prism Hardscapes, Wide World of Indoor Sports, Tradesource, Corona Curtain, Robertson Factories
Brookside Private Equity invests in middle-market companies that have exiting sales of $2 million–$60 million. Total transactional values are usually up to $25 million. The firm has been in operation since 1917, making it one of the few firms that's been actively investing for more than a century. There's a strong emphasis on New England companies, but the firm isn't exclusive to any region.
5. Nautic Partners
- Location: Providence, RI
- Industries: Healthcare, Services, Industrials
- Stage: Growth
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Spartech, Oasis, GCA Services, Endries, Theorem
Nautic invests in middle-market companies that have values of $100 million to over $1 billion. The firm targets companies with value-add opportunities, which may be through add-on acquisitions, industry expertise, or other methods. All of Nautic's investments are in healthcare, services, or industrials. The firm doesn't make many investments, but it provides large sums when it does invest.
