FORD, CONN–  reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust, announced today the names of the ten finalists for the 2014 Social Enterprise Awards. After months of multiple rounds of vetting, judging, and coaching, these ten finalists have been selected from dozens of social enterprise applicants to the Social Enterprise Challenge, and now move onto the judging phase of the competition. An independent panel of business experts will select the four award recipients who will be recognized at reSET’s Awards celebration on October 28th at The Society Room in Hartford, CT. The theme of this year’s event is “Superheroes of Social Enterprise.”

The 4th Annual Social Enterprise Awards recognizes those social entrepreneurs with the most viable, sustainable, market-based solutions for some of our state’s most pressing social problems. Winners will receive prizes of unrestricted capital to advance their business to the next level, public recognition, and valuable business advisory services provided on a pro bono basis by prominent local businesses. Top prize is $15,000, and the total pool exceeds $30,000 in 2014.

The competition provides both experienced and early stage social entrepreneurs with a platform for new ideas to solve social and environmental problems.

In 2014, 73 applications were received for the Social Enterprise Challenge competition, the largest number in the four years the competition has been held. The finalists clearly demonstrated that their business or business idea can improve community, create jobs, and generate both purpose and profit.

Finalists in the 2014 Social Enterprise Challenge:

Evan Dobos, Civic Lift: Online platform promoting civic engagement.

Amanda Rinderle, A&J Public Benefit Corp: Organic Cotton and fairly sourced shirts.

David Rubin, ElectroSpinU: A fitness company with a passion for electronic dance.

Linda Neaton, The Verge Awards: An online high school talent competition that funds arts education.

Candice Huges, AdapTac Games LLC: Mobile games that help children with behavioral health issues.

Vishal Patel, A Happy Life: Fair trade coffee roasting company; 100% of profits go back to farmers.

Spencer Curry, Fresh Farm Aquaponics: Food justice-oriented aquaponics farm.

Arati Sureddi, LOTUS Alliance: An online travel agency that helps to fund job training opportunities for victims of human trafficking.

Marianne Pantalon, Step Stones Jewelry: Stylish activity monitors that reward users with contributions to charity.

Joseph DeRisi, Urban Miners, LLC: Salvage and resale of architectural and building materials.

During the awards ceremony on October 28th, Will Haughey, co-founder of Tegu Corp., will accept reSET’s Social Innovation Award on behalf of himself and his brother Chris Haughey, co-founders of Tegu Corp. Will Haughey will also provide keynote remarks. Each year, reSET recognizes a prominent social enterprise that has harnessed the power of business to make a social impact and whose corporate conduct has inspired others. Past winners of the Social Innovation Award have included Warby Parker, Honest Tea and Greyston Bakery.

About reSET

Social Enterprise Trust, commonly known as reSET, is a Hartford-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote, preserve and protect social enterprise as a viable concept and a business reality.

reSET offers an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Business Advisor Network, the Lean LaunchPad for Social Enterprise, technical workshops and Social Enterprise Design Labs. reSET also sponsors the annual Social Enterprise Challenge and Awards. The 2014 Social Enterprise Award event will be held on Tuesday, October 28th and is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased at (link).

reSET also offers cost-effective coworking space at 99 Pratt Street in Hartford, and provides community programs and resources. The space welcomes start-ups and small businesses, freelancers, nonprofit organizations, social entrepreneurs, and visiting business people who can use either fixed desk or flexible seating arrangements.

Since January 2013, reSET has worked with 114 entrepreneurs, of whom 14 businesses are fully operational and associated with 11 jobs.