About this programme
The Rhode Island Business Competition is an annual pitch competition open to individuals and teams with a new business idea or early-stage company. It awards a shared prize pool worth over $100,000 in cash and in-kind services to a winner and 2 to 3 finalists.
Beyond the headline prizes, the competition connects entrants with other Rhode Island startup resources: every applicant gets two months of free co-working space at Sprout Coworking (with parking and meeting space), semi-finalists get complimentary mentoring from RIHub, and finalists become eligible for the MassChallenge Rhode Island accelerator. A bonus prize track, Get Started Rhode Island, offers up to $50,000 more in value to its own winner.
How it works
The 2026 cycle runs from application through two presentation rounds. Applications open January 5 and close March 24, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern.
Semi-finalists submit a complete pitch deck by April 7, 2026, then give 5-minute pitches to judges at semi-final presentations on April 17, 2026.
Finalists move to 25-minute meetings with judges on April 20, 2026, where the winner and remaining finalists are decided.
Judge decisions on rules and prize allocation are final, and applicants may not approach judges directly or through intermediaries.
Who can apply
Entrants must be at least 18 years old. Individuals or teams can apply, with no limit on team size, and submissions must be original work.
The competition is for new business ideas or early-stage companies only; existing businesses may enter by proposing a new Rhode Island-based venture.
Any area of commercial activity is valid to enter.
Winners and finalists must commit to using their winnings to establish or continue operations that employ people in Rhode Island.
How to apply
- Apply online through the competition's application portal between January 5 and March 24, 2026 (5 PM ET deadline); the platform saves progress automatically so you can complete it across multiple sessions.
- Draft your answers in a separate document first, since several fields have maximum word counts, then paste them into the online form.
- Click Submit to finalize the application; a confirmation email follows.
- If selected as a semi-finalist, submit a complete pitch deck by April 7, 2026, then present a 5-minute pitch to judges on April 17, 2026.
- If selected as a finalist, attend a 25-minute meeting with judges on April 20, 2026.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Completed online application with written responses
- Business pitch deck (for semi-finalists)
Frequently asked
How big is the prize pool?
Prizes consisting of cash and in-kind services total over $100,000, split among one winner and 2 to 3 finalists.
Do I need an existing business to enter?
No. The competition is for new business ideas or early-stage companies; existing businesses can enter by proposing a new Rhode Island-based venture.
What do I get just for applying?
Every applicant receives two months of free co-working space at Sprout Coworking, including parking and meeting space.
What happens if I make the semi-finals?
Semi-finalists get complimentary mentoring from RIHub and give a 5-minute pitch to judges after submitting a complete pitch deck.
Can I contact the judges directly?
No, applicants may not approach judges directly or through intermediaries; judge decisions on rules and prizes are final.
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All 15 programmes in Rhode Island →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.