Portal Innovations Selected as Ocean State Labs Incubator Partner

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Rhode Island Life Science Hub and Brown University selected Portal Innovations (Portal) as the manager of their state-of-the-art life science incubator, Ocean State Labs. Ocean State Labs, powered by Portal, will provide critical infrastructure to support early-stage life science companies in Rhode Island as they grow and bring their discoveries to the marketplace. The lab, located in Providence’s 195 District, is currently being developed by L&G – Asset Management, America and is expected to be complete by the end of this calendar year.

“Ocean State Labs will serve a critical need in Rhode Island and beyond, providing more than 30,000 square feet of physical space for entrepreneurial businesses to be brought to scale to improve health outcomes,” said Dr. Mark A. Turco, President & CEO of the R.I. Life Science Hub. “In Portal Innovations, the region has a partner with a proven track record of supporting the breakthroughs of early-stage life science ventures. Portal has experience operating labs across the country, bringing with them support to scale up companies, including their ability to leverage venture capital funding, being expert partners, and providing dynamic programming.”

Portal Innovations is a premier venture development engine that specializes in early-stage life sciences venture creation and investments with a presence in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Boston. To date, Portal has helped more than 90 innovation and life sciences startups grow by delivering “Crafted Capital” that includes seed funding, specialized equipment, lab space, and management expertise for high-potential, early-stage companies. The Powered by Portal model, launched in 2024, partners with university innovation arms as an incubator operator and provides them with Portal’s expertise in lab design and buildout, ecosystem management, and venture development, to help academic entrepreneurs grow towards commercialization.

John Flavin, Founder and CEO of Portal Innovations said, “Getting in at the ground level with entrepreneurs across the region and working with the top-tier academic institutions across Rhode Island is a major milestone for Portal. Our partnership with R.I. Life Science Hub and Brown to launch our Powered by Portal model will provide the tools, connections, and potential capital needed to scale startups and technologies with the hope of accelerating translation and foster the vibrant and growing life science sector in Rhode Island.”

The approximately 30,000-square foot space will feature a mix of private and open lab spaces along with co-working areas that will be equipped with cutting-edge technology to support up to 30 startup companies in Rhode Island. The development of Ocean State Labs is supported by the Life Science Hub, Brown University, and the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission.

Turco added “Rhode Island has continued momentum in creating the ecosystem needed to be a hub for medical and scientific research and entrepreneurship that should benefit not only the healthcare companies but patients.”

About the Rhode Island Life Science Hub: The Life Science Hub positions the state to deliver on a bold vision of transforming Rhode Island into a globally recognized life science innovation hub by coalescing existing stakeholders, activities, and investments while building new capabilities. Through an initial three-year, $45 million investment, the Hub will serve as the central and coordinating organization facilitating the development of medical advances and scientific breakthroughs by supporting companies who specialize in life sciences.

Media Contact: Lauren Greene, Lgreene@nharbor.com

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SOURCE Rhode Island Life Science Hub