No. 44

Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Thirty years ago, Providence was no place for entrepreneurs. “There were no other startups, no infrastructure or support,” recalls Danny Warshay, director of Brown University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Today, resources abound—from early-stage funding (Slater Technology Fund; Cherrystone Angel Group) and accelerators (MassChallenge) to organizations like the Lady Project (a networking nonprofit for female entrepreneurs). Top culinary school Johnson & Wales and RISD have also helped nurture many food startups and design-focused innovators in the area.