Governor McKee Announces Investments in Innovation

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor McKee, Chair of the Rhode Island Commerce Board, announced today that the Board awarded $300,000 in incentives through the state’s Innovation Voucher program to support business growth.

“Rhode Island continues to experience real momentum – having added more than 36,000 private sector jobs since I became Governor. These grants represent more than just funding—they’re an investment in the ideas, businesses, and workers that will drive our economy forward,” said Governor McKee.

“Public investments such as this can help to catalyze needed private sector activity,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. “These investments are helping create near-and long-term economic opportunity by fostering innovation statewide and growing our business start-ups in particular.”

Innovation Vouchers are grants for small business research and development conducted in partnership with a local “knowledge provider” (typically an institution of higher education) or in-house for manufacturers. 

Innovation Voucher recipients:

Ageless Innovation, LLC | Pawtucket | $75,000 | Manufacturing Voucher| Ageless Innovation, LLC will develop the next generation of their lifelike robotic pets that provide comfort and connection for older adults. They will prototype a new animatronics system and integration of real-time engagement between caregivers and pets that will enhance the products’ efficacy and expressiveness.

Foxglove, LLC | Narragansett | $75,000 | Manufacturing Voucher| Foxglove, LLC will prototype and test their novel solution to inopportune female urination. Foxglove’s MittyPak product has dual-use potential for women in mission-critical roles, as well as for those experiencing incontinence.

HA Biosciences | Providence | $75,000 | Knowledge Provider Voucher| HA Biosciences is developing a novel, science-backed product for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). With voucher funding, they will partner with Women & Infants Hospital to conduct a clinical study, a critical step towards product development.

The AnalytIQ | North Kingstown | $75,000 | Knowledge Provider Voucher | The AnalytIQ is creating a smart-textile wearable that continuously monitors biosignals to detect and prevent heat-related illnesses in real time. With voucher funding, the company will collaborate with the University of Rhode Island to prototype, integrate sensor technology, and validate performance in field conditions. Designed for high-exertion environments, this system has applications in athletics, military training, and industrial safety; advancing both public health and local manufacturing innovation.

For more information on the state’s Innovation Initiatives and other programs, visit commerceri.com.