For Immediate Release
April 10, 2026
Rhode Island’s Impact Business Showcase Crowns Top Entrepreneurs in a Night of Innovation and Social Impact
SEG Awards $10K Grand Prize to EvoNatura as Local Startups Pitch Game-Changing Ventures
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – More than 250 people filled Farm Fresh Rhode Island last night as Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) hosted its fourth annual Rhode Island Impact Business Showcase, showcasing social entrepreneurs competing for prize money and celebrating 25 years of impact in Rhode Island’s social enterprise space. The event brought together investors, business leaders, and community members to witness five promising teams of founders pitch their innovative solutions aimed at addressing health equity, climate resilience, and gender justice.
“SEG is not a literal greenhouse, but we are a figurative one,” said Julie Owens, CEO of SEG. “One microgrant can make the difference between an idea dying on the whiteboard or becoming a real business that feeds families, heals communities, or protects our planet. That is the power of what this room can do together.”
The $10,000 grand prize, furnished by presenting sponsor Citizens, was awarded to mother-daughter duo Alka Naithani & Priyanka K. Naithani with EvoNatura – the pair also took home the $1,000 Audience Choice prize sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Transgender Zone and its founders Victoria & Christopher St. Germain earned the $5,000 second place prize sponsored by Yconic.
“It’s like a full circle moment because we started this business with my grandfather in mind,” said Priyanka Naithani. “Knowing this was something I wanted to take forward, my mom joined hands with me, and I couldn’t do this without her – she is the vision and the big picture thinking behind this.“
Alka Naithani added, “The first place is just a validation of our huge effort that we’ve put in the last year and a half, and that gives us the impetus to move forward.”
The five finalists, graduates of SEG’s Innovator and Accelerator programs, presented their ventures before a panel of distinguished judges who evaluated them based on innovation, impact, and scalability.
“For those folks who got funding, it’s definitely validating and really helpful – but I think for all five of them, it’s a testament to how hard they’ve been working,” said Rahul Vanjani, one of the event’s judges and last year’s winner of both the second place and audience choice prizes for his venture now known as ITO Health. “What they’re doing is really centering human beings and our society overall, and that feels really important, particularly right now.”
In addition to the pitch competition, the event featured more than 20 demo booths showcasing startups from SEG’s Incubator, Incubadora (En Español), and Accelerator programs.
“I’m so inspired by what has been created by so many generous hearts and hands,” said Lorne Adrain, one of SEG’s original founders.
Rhode Island’s Impact Business Showcase reflects the growing momentum behind social entrepreneurship in the state. By equipping founders with access to capital, mentorship, and business resources, SEG continues to strengthen Rhode Island’s entrepreneurial landscape and create pathways for a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
About Social Enterprise Greenhouse: Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) catalyzes, connects, and invests in entrepreneurs driving transformational social impact. Over 25 years, SEG has supported more than 3,500 founders in launching and scaling durable, revenue-generating enterprises that strengthen Rhode Island’s economy and advance a more just, equitable, and resilient future. To learn more, visit www.segreenhouse.org.
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Media Contact (For SEG)
Lynzi DeLuccia, Half Street Group
401.787.8666 | lynzi@halfstreetgroup.com