Entrepreneurs Participate in CT Accelerator

ewalsh • July 6, 2017

For full Innovation Destination Hartford article details and related content, please click here.

reSET’s Impact Accelerator is a four-month program designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to grow their businesses and their impact. The program provides business coaching and connects local startups and entrepreneurs to early-stage customers and industry-specific experts and mentors.

Here, six Greater Hartford entrepreneurs share their experience with the 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator:

Lanna Nawa is Co-Founder of social entrepreneurship startup Impact Mart, which is participating in the 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator.

“When you’re in a startup, sometimes it’s as though you have blinders on. All you know is what’s in front of you. Programs like the reSET accelerator help to take away those blinders so you can look at the big picture and figure out the steps to take to get your company from Point A to Point B.”
— Ben Grinnell, Managing Partner CareerPath Mobile
Read our interview: Social Impact Startup Engages Students in Career Development

“reSET has been an amazing resource for developing my second business. reSET has not only provided me a model to grow my business, but most importantly, it has provided the mentoring and networks I really need. It really levels the playing field for someone who has great ideas, drive, and ambition but lacks the connections. I encourage anyone who is serious about developing their business to join a cohort there.”
— Kristine Schlichting, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist and Director of Hopewell Health Solutions
Read our interview: Social Impact Startup Provides Innovative Health Treatment Solutions

“reSET has provided us with invaluable resources to help us make our dream a reality. The organization provides everything from lawyers, accountants, co-working space, and dedicated staff to help your business grow. We specifically chose to participate in reSET’s accelerator because it specializes in social entrepreneurship. The program not only offers guidance on how to take your startup to the next level, but also how to do so in an ethical manner.”
— Lanna Nawa Co-Founder Impact Mart
Read our interview: Social Entrepreneurship Startup with a Mission to Solve Global Issues

“Connecticut is filled with talent, innovation, and resources. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be informed about the reSET accelerator.”
— Anthony Valentine, Founder of Kulture
Read our interview: Social Impact Startup Fosters Innovative Youth Kulture

Matt Siracusa is founder of social impact startup WEWOOL.

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Leadership Transition Announcement: reSET Executive Director to Step Down in 2026

By awalsh • February 13, 2026

Dear reSET Community, The Board of Directors today announces the departure of Sarah Bodley as Executive Director of reSET in a planned transition later this year. The Board has immense gratitude for Sarah and all her contributions over the years. Over the last seven years, Sarah has built an amazing foundation for the organization and she leaves reSET in a strong position for continued growth and service. Sarah joined reSET in 2018 and over the past seven years has solidified and expanded reSET’s mission of supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut. Here are a few key highlights from Sarah’s time here: Facilitated the acquisition of Collab New Haven, expanding reSET’s footprint to a statewide geography and further enhancing our mission Developed and implemented new core programs including the award-winning Food Incubator, as well as the Food Accelerator, Retail Incubator, Measure What Matters, and Digital Marketing Mastermind Established reSET as a founding partner of the Hartford Culinary Collaborative, enabling greater connectivity and cooperation among food-centric support organizations in our region Doubled the organization’s budget to over 1 Million Dollars, securing multi-year State government grants Won the prestigious Neighborhood Builders Award from Bank of America, and the Leadership Greater Hartford Polaris Community Award in 2022 Established an endowment fund thanks to support from the Zachs Family Foundation to support the long term sustainability of reSET’s mission Over the coming months, we will be continuing our search to find reSET's next Executive Director. Sarah will stay onboard through June to ensure a smooth handoff to our next leader, and will be available as a resource throughout 2026. It is the Board of Directors’ priority, along with Sarah's, to make this transition as smooth as possible to continue the great work Sarah has helped us do over her tenure. The Executive Director’s Job Posting can be found at this link, and we invite you to keep in mind any potential candidates in your community or network that you think might be a great fit. The Board of Directors wishes Sarah the best of luck in her future endeavors. We are appreciative of the dedication and enthusiasm she has given to reSET over the last seven years, particularly navigating our organization seamlessly during the historic times of the pandemic, changes in administration, and an ever-evolving landscape of opportunity for entrepreneurs. We are confident that with Sarah’s support, this transition will be a smooth one for our Connecticut entrepreneurs, partners, and generous supporters. We look forward to continuing our growth and to serving our mission of supporting the social enterprise sector. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out via contacting admin@resetco.org to get in touch with the board. Sincerely, Ali Lazowski + Dave Menard, co-chairs, reSET Board of Directors

Applications Open for Spring 2026 Impact Accelerator

By awalsh • February 10, 2026

Inviting Impact Entrepreneurs Into Transformative Growth

reSET Announces Pitch Competition Winners from Fall Food Accelerator and Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Programs

By awalsh • November 25, 2025

21 Businesses Participated, Gaining Valuable Impact-Driven Business Training

reSET to Host Two November Events Celbrating Connecticut's Next Generation of Food and Retail Entrepreneurs Making an Impact

By awalsh • October 27, 2025

Special Discount Available for Attendees Purchasing Tickets to Both Events

reSET Announces Second Food Accelerator Cohort

By awalsh • October 1, 2025

11 Impact-Driven Food Businesses Ready to Scale Operations and Community Impact

reSET Announces 5th Cohort of Floor - Plan Retail Incubator Featuring 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs

By awalsh • September 22, 2025

Program Partnership with Breakfast Lunch & Dinner Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with Social Impact Focus

reSET Food and Retail Programs Featured in Radio Interview

July 7, 2025

Listen in to the replay of John Voket of Connoisseur Media's interview of reSET Food Program Manager Katrice Claudio and Program Manager Ndubisi Okeke that aired on Sunday July 6, 2025. They talked about the reSET programs that are enrolling for the fall--the Food Accelerator for food businesses looking to scale, and the Retail Incubator for early stage product-based businesses looking to ramp up for holiday markets in Connecticut. Listen here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8745230-reset-fall-program-preview The interview aired on the award-winning "For the People" show on Sunday, July 6 on WEBE 108 FM, STAR 99.9, WPLR FM and THe VOICE of Connecticut and on the podcast.