Nhuad Custom Controllers is the Winner of the 2023 Rhode Island Business Competition Providence – (May 5, 2023) –
A single hand video game controller created for gamers with one hand or other disabilities was announced the winner of the 2023 Rhode Island Business Competition.
Charles Johnson, CEO of Nhuad Custom Controllers, was one of the four finalists who competed against over 30 applicants for awards totaling over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
The awards ceremony was held at Venture Café as well as live-streamed.
In a joint statement, RIBC Co-Chairs Peggy Farrell, Partner at Hinckley Allen, and Anthony Mangiarelli, Partner at KLR, noted “We are so excited to showcase these businesses tonight. Each year the quality of the candidates improves, making the judges’ decisions that much harder. It is important for us now to celebrate the dedication and hard work of these talented entrepreneurs and we look forward to seeing them continuing to succeed.”
The following are the other three finalists for this year’s Competition:
Papi’s Coquito is an authentic, high-quality, Coquito-inspired liqueur, resonating with heritage and appealing to diverse tastes. Principal applicant: Victor Regino
Trace Sensing Technologies has developed a sensor platform capable of detecting target biomarkers in exhaled breath (or through skin) for rapid, early, non-invasive disease diagnosis and monitoring. Principal applicant: Peter Ricci
Wingspans is an immersive platform that leverages storytelling and AI to build a new and diverse future of work. Principal applicant: Lindsay Kuhn
Serving as judges for this year are:
Kim Anderson, Impact Investor and Owner of Plant City
Bob Chatham, Director at Slater Technology Fund
Jason Costa, Vice President of Commercial Banking at Washington Trust
Peggy Farrell, Partner at Hinckley Allen
Katharine Flynn, Executive Director at URI’s Business Engagement Center
Anthony Mangiarelli, Partner at KLR
Aidan Petrie, Founding Partner of the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC)
Annette Tonti, Managing Director at RIHub
The prizes consisting of cash and in-kind services are provided by dozens of sponsors, including banks, investors, colleges and universities, professional services firms, non-profits, construction, health related, software, retail, and other businesses as well as former competitors.
Sponsors of the 2023 Rhode Island Business Competition Pillar sponsors are Bryant University, Cox Business, and Everhope Foundation.