Three CT Startups Wins Share of $20K at reSET Event

ewalsh • May 14, 2018

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By Greg Bordonaro

Eight startups pitched their business models during the 2018 Venture Showcase hosted by Hartford-based reSET, Social Enterprise Trust.

Three Connecticut startups in media, skincare and food proved big hits at Dunkin’ Donuts Park May 10, with judges selecting them from eight startups to share $20,000 in unrestricted funding in the 2018 Venture Showcase put on by Hartford-based reSET, Social Enterprise Trust.

Winners were: Loki, $10,000; Florapothecarie, $6,000; and Bare Life, $4,000.

The annual event recognizes talented entrepreneurs and innovative businesses that recently graduated from reSET’s accelerator program. Eighteen early stage enterprises graduated from the cohort and eight finalists competed for funding. More than 110 applicants applied for the program, according to reSET, which aims to advance the social enterprise sector and other entrepreneurs and is based in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood.

Entrepreneurs pitched their business models to an audience of founders, investors, and community and corporate stakeholders.

Loki calls itself a new kind of media company, with its website saying it’s a place where one can watch events through collections of many perspectives, live-streamed through the eyes of people actually there, rather than one perspective driving one’s experience of an event. Florapothecarie makes 100 percent natural and vegan skincare products. Bare Life’s mission is to make allergen- and irritant-free foods and recipes convenient for everyone, especially the chronically ill.

An award for “Most Improved Pitch” went to FieldOwler, which says its mission is to serve businesses, organizations, and agencies that utilize independent contractors in order to enable them to make informed worker classification decisions and reduce exposure to costly misclassification.

Other finalists were CNG Fit, LLC / Fit Party Me, Lioness Magazine, Noteworthy Chocolates, RecordME and SKYWIREme.Since 2013, reSET has graduated 105 companies from its accelerator program and has awarded more than $250,000 to scaling ventures.

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Transform Your Business This Fall: Applications Open for 2 reSET Programs

By awalsh • July 17, 2024

Transform Your Business This Fall: Applications Open for reSET's Retail Incubator and Digital Marketing Mastermind Programs Hartford, CT – July 17, 2024 – reSET, the Hartford-based entrepreneur support organization committed to nurturing businesses with a social mission, is excited to announce that applications are now open for two separate programs designed to help entrepreneurs grow with impact: the Retail Incubator and the Digital Marketing Mastermind. Both programs are set to run this fall, providing invaluable resources and mentorship to early-stage and established entrepreneurs alike. Applications close at midnight on July 21, with classes set to start mid-August and run through October. “Both of these programs were developed because of demand from our alumni and local entrepreneurs,” said Sarah Bodley, Executive Director of reSET. “The Retail Incubator has been popular with Hartford-area founders preparing for fall and holiday markets, or opening their own storefronts. We developed the Digital Marketing Mastermind to help local entrepreneurs build an online business presence and stand out in the online world.” Retail Incubator The Floor-Plan Retail Business Incubator is a partnership between reSET and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community venture-building studio. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed to support product-based businesses in their stages of entrepreneurship. Participants will learn to understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, all to prepare their businesses for fall and winter markets. Entrepreneurs will gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.resetco.org/retail-incubator . Digital Marketing Mastermind The Digital Marketing Mastermind is tailored for entrepreneurs who already have a business and are looking to elevate their digital marketing efforts. This program will provide advanced strategies to boost online presence, engage with target audiences, and convert engagement into sales. Participants will learn from seasoned marketing professionals and peers, gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the digital marketplace. Entrepreneurs interested in more information on the program and application should visit https://www.resetco.org/digital-marketing-mastermind About reSET reSET is a nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. reSET specializes in social enterprise ― impact-driven business with a double or triple bottom line. In addition to providing coworking space, accelerator, and mentoring programs, reSET aims to inspire innovation and community collaboration and to support entrepreneurs in creating market-based solutions to community challenges. reSET’s goal is to meet entrepreneurs wherever they are in their trajectory and to help them take their businesses to the next level. Visit reSET | Where Great Companies Grow (resetco.org). # # #