Program Description
The Resiliency and Business Innovation Program (RBI) is an EDA i6 grantee, and part of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT). The goal is to build a model that will benefit Puerto Rico and other sites around the world by identifying, conducting proof of concept and planning for the development of Resiliency products that create innovation and economic opportunities after a disaster.
The program will provide business resiliency training, university research facility support for proof-of-concept research and development; support for businesses by teaching resiliency methods and concepts; and assistance in soliciting Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funds.
The RBI has partnered with institutions of higher education, other nonprofit organizations and the Response and Innovation Lab (RIL), another program based at the PRSTRT, with partner labs in Jordan, Iraq, Uganda and Somalia.
Mission & Vision
To foster a Resilient Business Community on the Island. Enhance the innovations that create business resiliency from entrepreneur development and SBIR program applicants.
Our objective is to assist companies (in Puerto Rico) to develop an innovation (idea, product, or service) that they have identified or created after a disaster and can be commercialized.
Our Initiatives
Get to know our events, announcements and projects of our program.
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Listen to our podcast
We talk about the options that a company can execute in the event of a catastrophe: (1) Continuity of continuing to operate the business (2) Change or reinvent your business. Also about how our RBI program has impacted many companies through courses, certifications and training on resilience and innovation. Only available in Spanish.
Tools
Achievements
By helping build a resilient business model benefitting Puerto Rican entrepreneurs, RBI has been able to impact businesses, organizations, and university programs that support businesses through collaboration, capacity building, training, research, and technical assistance. Through collaboration with other entrepreneurial programs, RBI has certified business coaches and mentors helping businesses create their resiliency plans.
Over 1500 people and businesses have benefited from the products and services offered by the RBI, including training, research, webinars, technical support, mentoring, and business concept reviews.
The RBI has also partnered with over 30 entities and professional business organization to extend our RBI services to target groups. Collaborators include The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, Echar Pa Lante, the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, the Chamber of Commerce of the South, Alumni School of Business University of Puerto Rico (AFAE for its Spanish acronym), the Coalition of the Private Sector, Enactus, Hecho en Puerto Rico, the United Retailers Association, the CPA Collegiate, the Collegiate of Engineers and Land Surveyors, the Puerto Rico Constructors Association, the IT Cluster, MIDA (Food Wholesaler and Distribution Association); state and municipal Economic Development agencies and public and private higher education entities.
