Organization · Incubator
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is a nonprofit organization in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on supporting overlooked entrepreneurs, particularly African-American business owners. It provides a collaborative coworking space and various support services to foster innovation and business growth.
Overview
What Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs does
What Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is a nonprofit organization in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on supporting overlooked entrepreneurs, particularly African-American business owners. It provides a collaborative coworking space and various support services to foster innovation and business growth.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 2016
- Approximate age
- About 10 years
- Structured capabilities
- Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 10, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs as a program host
Program thesis
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is dedicated to supporting overlooked and underestimated entrepreneurs by providing access, resources, and community to help them grow their businesses.
Focus narrative
RICE focuses on empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners through various programs and resources. The organization provides support across different stages of business development, from ideation to established revenue-generating companies. RICE's initiatives include educational offerings, business coaching, and access to capital and connections.
Value and support
RICE offers various programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, including the Retail Readiness Academy, Coaching Circles, Georgia AIM, and Big IDEAS. These initiatives provide mentorship, educational resources, and access to capital and connections.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
RICE has a diverse portfolio of stakeholders, including notable companies such as Khroma Kolors, a beauty brand represented by Shanise Thomason; Essence Tree, a wellness brand led by Charmaine Gibbs-West; Kindred Paper, a product-based business founded by Savannah Stephens; and Try Deas & Other Treats, a food business led by Louis Deas, who won first prize at the 'No Pressure' Pitch Competition.
Capability profile
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs as a community
Community overview
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is an organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to supporting overlooked and underestimated entrepreneurs. Founded with the mission to provide access, resources, and community to help these entrepreneurs grow their businesses, RICE aims to create generational wealth and foster a more inclusive economy. The center is inspired by the legacy of Herman J. Russell, a prominent entrepreneur and civic leader in Atlanta.
Community focus
RICE focuses on empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners through various programs and resources. The organization provides support across different stages of business development, from ideation to established revenue-generating companies. RICE's initiatives include educational offerings, business coaching, and access to capital and connections.
Member value
Members benefit from access to educational programs, business coaching, and networking opportunities that facilitate growth and development in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
RICE hosts a variety of events to foster community engagement and support for entrepreneurs, including the Walmart Open Call, Transformation Week, and Women Who Mean Business.
Notable members
RICE has a diverse portfolio of stakeholders, including notable companies such as Khroma Kolors, Essence Tree, Kindred Paper, and Try Deas & Other Treats.
Common questions
What to know about Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
Upseed classifies Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes program host and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 10, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.