DESIGNxRI welcomes spring 2025 Design Catalyst Cohort

Providence, RI DESIGNxRI has made its selection of the 10^th Design Catalyst Cohort: Kara Stokowski, DJ Dayglow; Linsey Wallace and Quinn Corey, Chroma Council; Maura Cronin, Marvalina; Michelle Martins, Michelle Martins Art; and Samuel Aguirre, JS Design Build. The five chosen businesses will take part in a five-month business development program dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs through business mentorship, professional development training, peer-to-peer networking, and potential seed capital. As the newest Design Catalyst participants, this cohort joins a class of almost 100 R.I. businesses that have benefited from the Design Catalyst program. The Design Catalyst program provides small creative businesses with entrepreneurial education, equipping talented designers with the practical business acumen needed to ensure their businesses succeed. Programming, provided at no cost, includes a series of classes led by local designers and industry experts on topics from law, finance, marketing and brand identity.

“The Design Catalyst program has been transformative for Fire Mountain Metal Works, both in skill development and in connecting me with a supportive network of peers and mentors,” said fall 2024 alum Benjamin Filchak.

 “The program offered classes that went beyond traditional business concepts, encouraging me to see my work through a more strategic and sustainable lens. One significant impact is in how I now approach planning and organization. The program has sharpened my focus on not just the artistry of my craft, but on building a solid foundation for growth, like refining my approach to accounting, branding, and financial tracking templates.”

DESIGNxRI is grateful to the City of Providence for making the spring 2025 iteration of the Design Catalyst Program possible through generous funding and support. We would also like to thank CIC Providence for powering the program. Since 2016, the Design Catalyst Program has not only provided participants with professional development training, but also funding opportunities, awarding a total of $1,416,187 to 99 businesses. 

To learn more about the spring 2025 Design Catalyst Cohort, visit the DESIGNxRI website (www.designxri.com/spring-design-catalyst/). For more information about how you can support the current cohort and future iterations of the program through the Catalyst Fund or by becoming a Design Catalyst sponsor, please see the donate section of our website (www.designxri.com/get-involved/donate/).