New NEMIC Program Aims to EMPOWER Diversity in Health + Wellness Space
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (October 10, 2023) — In an effort to support and elevate minorities and women within Rhode Island’s Health and Wellness sectors, the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC) today announced it’s expanding its programming offerings with the addition of EMPOWER.
Created in partnership with Rhode Island Commerce, EMPOWER is a holistic, multi-faceted program aimed at bridging the gap for minority and women entrepreneurs, by offering vital mentorship, and technical assistance while promoting diversity and innovation.
"Improving patient care through innovation is at the core of everything we do here at NEMIC. Increasing the number of minorities and women in the Health and Wellness fields will drive innovation and go a long way toward reducing health disparities in our society,” said NEMIC Program Director Maey Petrie. “With our signature Med Tech Leadership and Accelerator Programs, NEMIC has a proven track record of helping innovators bring new, cutting-edge ideas to market. With the addition of EMPOWER, we hope to provide that same mentorship and resources to people who may not otherwise have access to it."
EMPOWER includes a Workshop and Lecture Series that will provide participants with networking opportunities as well as technical assistance in crucial areas such as Intellectual Property Protection, Business Incorporation, Financial Projections, Market Analysis, and more. The Program will also include an Accelerator component that will enroll five participants at a time, providing them access to NEMIC’s network of expert advisors, as well as custom programming with up to $10,000 of support.
“EMPOWER's accelerator goes beyond financial support. By offering an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and collaboration, it is a pivotal platform for minority and women entrepreneurs who want to bring their health and wellness solutions to life,” Petrie said.
EMPOWER is a free program for anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Rhode Island, and identifies as a Minority or Women's Business Enterprise, or plans to be registered to be certified as one.
EMPOWER programming will be offered both virtually and in person at various locations, including NEMIC and other spaces throughout Rhode Island. The application process is currently open. The program's start date will be based on participant availability.
To stay in the know about upcoming events in the Workshop + Lecture Series, be sure to sign up for our new EMPOWER newsletter.