10 Entrepreneurial Businesses to Begin Impact Accelerator Program at reSET in Hartford

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reSET, the Hartford-based entrepreneur support organization committed to nurturing businesses with a social mission, has accepted ten Connecticut-based startups into its 2024 Impact Accelerator, getting underway this spring.

This is the 13th class of businesses to engage in the Impact Accelerator, the only Connecticut business accelerator program that prioritizes identifying and measuring social impact alongside profit.

Over the next four months the ten businesses will work together to accelerate individual business growth through peer feedback, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance from reSET. Jeannette Punsoni Dardenne, owner of the public relations and marketing company INGroup Creative, will be the Facilitator of the program.

“In our company selection process, we look for founders who are thinking creatively about how they can solve real social or environmental issues through their business,” said Sarah Bodley, reSET’s Executive Director. “This year’s class of companies is working on impactful solutions across an impressively broad range, from consumer products that include job training, to creative uses of technology with broad appeal. We are thrilled to be working with all of them and excited to introduce them to the broader community in the coming months.”

reSET is a nonprofit 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.

Companies and entrepreneurs selected for the 2024 cohort are:

  • Ainara Designs LLC, featuring a patent-pending necklace to aid breastfeeding parents.

  • CT3D, seeks to revolutionize consumer products with generative design, additive manufacturing and on-demand manufacturing services.

  • Eatz on Demand LLC, offering a delivery service from mall restaurants to mall employees.

  • Fresh Start Pallet Products, offering employment and training to individuals seeking to improve their lives with a future in carpentry and construction, in partnership with the community.

  • griefsense, a media platform designed to help young, marginalized creatives express grief, live with purpose, and honor memories.

  • Hardy Enterprise, a home services organization providing home inspection, heating and cooling services.

  • Nutrisoft LLC, creator of Nutrilab, a versatile software solution designed to simplify creating nutrition labels for the food industry and food science education.

  • poemRENOVATION, a web-based fun, daily word challenge and educational tool used to prompt creativity and self-expression, strengthen communication skills, build community and instill confidence.

  • Reframe: A Dry Spot, a cafe and retail spot specializing in non-alcoholic beverages and mixed drinks.

  • The BOP, a specialty coffee roaster and seller striving to do right by our people, from the coffee farm to the espresso bar by sourcing quality beans at a fair price and creating meaningful earn-and-learn experiences for young people in Hartford.

A public kick-off event including the opportunity to meet these up-and-coming businesses is planned for March 14 at reSET’s offices in the Parkville section of Hartford. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear each startup give a one minute pitch highlighting their plan for growth and impact.

To assist in selecting this year’s cohort, reSET recruited an Advisory Board that will also provide mentorship and expertise to the businesses throughout the accelerator program. This year’s Advisory Board is:

  •   Rache Brand, Star Strong Capital

  •   Kenyetta Banks, Women’s Business Development Council

  •   Paul Silva, River Valley Investors

  •   Ramon Peralta, Peralta Designs

  •   Melissa-Sue John, Lauren Simone Publishing and reSET Alumna

  •   Denise Whitford, Connecticut Small Business Development Center

  •   Dawn Leaks, Yale Center for Inclusive Growth and reSET Alumna

  •   Christine Sullivan, Connecticut Small Business Development Center

Advisory Board members and the reset team will also be on hand on March 14 at reSET’s Impact Accelerator Kick-Off.  Reservations can be made here.

The reSET program will culminate in the Venture Showcase in June when the entrepreneurs will share their updated business plans and vision for growth in front of an audience of investors, collaborators, mentors, and more. Accepted participants are given access to reSET’s coworking space located in Parkville to be used as a place of business during the program.