RIBBA(Rhode Island Black Business Association)

Name

RIBBA(Rhode Island Black Business Association)

Legal name

Rhode Island Black Business Association

Website

https://ri-bba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: RIBBA relies on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and contribution campaigns to fund its programs and mission of closing the wealth gap for underserved communities in Rhode Island.
2. Membership Fees: RIBBA generates revenue through membership dues, with resources available to members to help grow their businesses and careers.
3. Grant Funding: As a nonprofit, RIBBA receives grant funding from public and private sources to support its business development, workforce development, and advocacy programs.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales for events such as the Annual Awards Gala and other programming activities.
5. Coworking and Event Space Rental: RIBBA's Hub at 220 Smith Street in Providence offers coworking and event space rental, generating revenue while providing workspace to local entrepreneurs and professionals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RIBBA is a non-profit business association that provides small business development resources, workforce and leadership development programs (including the Emerging Leaders Development Program, LEAP Mentorship & Training Program, and Skill-Up Program), advocacy and policy support, and a coworking/event space called The Hub. It serves Black-owned, minority-owned, and underserved small businesses and professionals in Rhode Island, connecting them to capital, mentorship, training, and a peer community.

Product overview

RIBBA offers a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around business growth, workforce development, and community empowerment. The core offerings include the Emerging Leaders Development Program (a 7-month cohort-based leadership program), LEAP Mentorship & Training Program (mentor matching with monthly workshops), and the Young Adult Business Pitch Competition (providing capital funding). Additional services include Small Business Development resources, The Hub coworking and event space, membership with business directory access, scholarship opportunities, and the Annual Awards Gala. These programs work together to provide a comprehensive ecosystem supporting underserved businesses and professionals in Rhode Island.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Business Development Program Programs and services designed to help small businesses in Rhode Island grow, scale, build sustainable wealth, and create jobs through strategic resources and support. Targeted at underserved, Black-owned, and minority-owned businesses.
• Emerging Leaders Development Program A 7-month cohort-based leadership development program designed to help individuals reach their business and career dreams through peer mentoring, monthly workshops, and personal growth opportunities. Aimed at working professionals and emerging leaders in Rhode Island.
• LEAP Mentorship & Training Program A mentorship and training program that matches entrepreneurs with mentors fitting their prior experience and desired growth, featuring monthly workshops to help participants pursue opportunities and connect with people authentically.
• Young Adult Business Pitch Competition An annual pitch competition for young entrepreneurs that provides capital funding opportunities to help start and grow businesses, with winners receiving $11,000 in 2025. Targeted at young adults in Rhode Island.
• Skill-Up Program A workforce development training program located in Pawtucket designed to address skills gaps and help individuals advance their careers.
• The Hub (Coworking & Event Space) A coworking and event space facility located at 220 Smith Street, Providence, Rhode Island, providing workspace and event hosting capabilities for businesses and professionals.
• RIBBA Membership Membership program providing access to resources essential for helping businesses and careers reach the next level and build sustainable wealth, including access to a business directory.
• Scholarship Opportunity Financial support program providing scholarships to individuals to further their educational and professional development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 businesses have been outreached to by RIBBA.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Business Empowerment Alliance of Rhode Island (BEARI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2023In December 2023, RIBBA and other local business support organizations launched the Business Empowerment Alliance of Rhode Island (BEARI), a coalition aimed at expanding resources and enhancing service to underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs across the state.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inner City Capital Connections: Program supporting the growth and capacity of inner-city businesses, particularly minority and women entrepreneurs, through capital connections and executive education. Comparable target audience and capital-access focus to RIBBA's small business programs.
• SCORE: Largest volunteer mentor network for small businesses in the U.S., offering free mentorship, workshops, and resources. Directly comparable to RIBBA's LEAP mentorship and small business development programming.
• National Black MBA Association: Member-based organization driving economic and intellectual wealth for the Black community through leadership development, career advancement, and entrepreneurship programs. Comparable in its cohort-based leadership programming and Black professional/business audience.
• National Minority Supplier Development Council: Operates the MBE certification standard and connects minority-owned businesses with corporate supply chains. Comparable mission of advancing minority business growth and capital access, though at significantly larger national scale.
• U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. National chamber-style association advancing Black-owned businesses through advocacy, capital access, and corporate partnerships. Closest national analog to RIBBA's Black business association model, serving a similar member base with overlapping program types.
• National Association of Women Business Owners: National dues-based association advocating for women business owners through programming, advocacy, and networking. Comparable chamber-of-commerce-style structure and member-driven programming targeting an underserved business segment.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Large historic civil rights and economic empowerment organization with local affiliates delivering workforce, small business, and wealth-building programs. Comparable mission to RIBBA's economic empowerment focus, with a much broader national footprint.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises. Comparable mission of growing minority-owned firms and connects to RIBBA through capital access programming and federal partnerships.

Emerging players

• Opportunity Finance Network: National network of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) providing capital and services to underserved businesses and communities. Comparable focus on closing the wealth gap through capital access, complementary to RIBBA's mission.

Others

• Rhode Island Foundation: Largest community foundation in Rhode Island and a major funder of RIBBA's HQ expansion. Acts as both a regional peer in the nonprofit ecosystem and a key funding/strategic partner to RIBBA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RIBBABIZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/RIBlackBusinessAssociaiton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhode-island-black-business-association-ribba
• Instagraminstagram.com/rhodeisland_bba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RIBBA(Rhode Island Black Business Association)