“RI Tech and Innovation Report” – Mini Maker Faire Returns to PVDFest & More

Thursday, May 02, 2019

Rebecca Keister, Tech Contributor

Providence Mini Maker Faire returns to PVDFest PHOTO: Providence Mini Maker Faire website

For several years, he brought the faire—a celebration of creativity and ingenuity across many sectors including art, design, technology, and manufacturing—to WaterFire Providence in hopes of inspiring makers to, well, get to making.

The Providence Mini Maker Faire returns for the third year to PVDFest June 8-9. Applications to exhibit are being accepted through May 17.

In anticipation of another incredible faire, GoLocalProv chatted with Jepson about what attendees can expect this year and at future faires.

GoLocalProv: Why does Providence need the Mini Maker Faire?

Jepson: There’s a long answer, but the short answer is that I think the Faire needs Providence as much as Providence needs the faire. This is just one of many Mini Maker Faires worldwide, and given Rhode Island’s rich manufacturing heritage, we need to be represented among that global community.

GoLocalProv: Why is PVDFest the best venue for the faire?

Jespon: PVDFest brings together some of the best experiences Providence has to offer, and attendees come primed to have their minds expanded. It couldn’t be better!

GoLocalProv: What is the biggest way(s) the faire has changed or evolved since you partnered with the city of Providence?

Jepson: From a production standpoint, working with the city has enabled the production team to focus on making sure we have great makers and a great attendee experience. And, there are many other wonderful things. PVDFest brings a lot of folks downtown, and the city-wide atmosphere makes the experience at the faire so much more amazing.

GoLocalProv: What’s new for this year?

Jepson: We’re doing two days instead of one. This is the first time we’ve done that!

GoLocalProv: What are some highlights concerning exhibitors this year?

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GoLocalProv: To you, what is the best part of the faire?

Jepson: It’s really the mix of things—attendees, makers, and the experiences. It’s where all the hands-on experiences transform into excitement that thrills me. There’s a magic moment where curiosity is transformed into enlightenment, and that happens dozens of times a minute at a Maker Faire.

GoLocalProv: How would you like to expand the faire in years to come?

Jepson: At the moment, I’m nervous enough about going two days that I’m not thinking too much beyond that. But, I’d love to be able to have workshops and presentations. I’d also like to expand the physical footprint and number of makers.

Related Slideshow: “RI Tech and Innovation Report” – Mini Maker Faire Returns to PVDFest & More

The R.I. Coalition of Entrepreneurs is hosting its first annual Startup Day this Saturday, May 4.

The day-long event will be held at URI’s Sheppard Building in Providence and will feature seven panels on topics including design thinking and legal and accounting compliance.

The coalition—which advocates for the state’s entrepreneurial community—is target the even toward founders of high-growth startups or those contemplating such a venture.

R.I.-based Everence jewelry company has debuted a new line of custom-made bracelets and rings that will allow wearers to have someone’s DNA infused into a 10K White Gold, 10K Yellow Gold or Sterling Silver piece. Interested? You can order a collection kit, provide DNA through a hair sample or ash, and send the kit back to Everence.

The company says this is an expansion of their proven-popular DNA tattoo ink.

Semi-Finalists in this year’s R.I. Business Plan Competition Entrepreneur Track are all serious contenders for the big prize, which will be awarded at a ceremony on May 7 at the New England Medical Innovation Center in Providence.

Keep an eye on CBC Wind Energy, a developer of affordable wind turbines for homes and other structures, and Uproot, which has developed a dispenser that can safely be used for non-dairy milk in cafeterias and other food service locations.

Start Your Marketing Plan Here

There are lots of good tech ideas, but not every one of those is successfully brought to the marketplace. Sometimes, it’s just a case of not having the right tools to introduce your product.

The New England I-Corps and URI’s Research Foundation and Venture Mentoring Service of RI is offering a FREE three-week National Science Foundation program to help researchers and engineers navigate this hurdle.

Projects must be based on new, innovative and differentiating technology from individuals and teams.