PRESS RELEASE: Winners of reSET’s 2019 Venture Showcase Revealed

Sami Jensen • June 12, 2019

–Three Connecticut Startups Awarded $20,000 in Unrestricted Funding–

(HARTFORD, CONN., June 12, 2019) – reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust ( www.reSETCo.org), whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and supporting entrepreneurs of all stripes, revealed the winners of its 2019 Venture Showcase last night at the Connecticut Science Center to a sellout crowd of 200.

The annual event recognizes the talented entrepreneurs and innovative businesses that have just graduated from reSET’s nationally recognized accelerator. 14 early stage enterprises graduated from the recent cohort, and last night, seven finalists competed for $20,000 in unrestricted funding.

The entrepreneurs pitched their business models to an audience of founders, investors, and community and corporate stakeholders. An esteemed panel of judges, including Kevin Bouley, President and CEO of Nerac, Inc; Susan Coleman, professor of finance at the University of Hartford; and Steven Taylor, Vice President and Branch Manager for United Bank in Downtown Hartford, selected the ultimate winners.  Recipients of the competition’s various awards are listed below.

reSET Impact Awards:

$10,000
Raise Green
https://www.raisegreen.com/

$6,000
Engagement Solutions
http://www.engagement-solutions.com/

$4,000
Kiyomi Beauty Box
http://www.kiyomibeauty.com/

Superlative Awards:
“Community Choice Award”
TIEV (Treasure in Earthen Vessels)

“Audience Favorite Award”
Raise Green
https://www.raisegreen.com/

“Judges’ Favorite Award”
Little Nomad
https://www.little-nomad.com/

“Honorable Mention”
Jam Program

Other finalists: 
Alchemists Beauty LLC

Helpfie Smart First Aid
http://www.esociates.org/

The Accelerator program and Venture Showcase was made possible by reSET’s partners and sponsors: Murtha Cullina LLP, The Walker Group, Connecticut Science Center, Travelers, Capital for Change, and The Bolder Company. SnapSeat Photo Booths also provided in-kind services.

Since 2013, reSET has graduated 112 companies from its accelerator program and has awarded more than a quarter of a million dollars to scaling ventures.

About reSET
reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the social enterprise sector. reSET serves all entrepreneurs, but specializes in social enterprise ― impact driven business with a double and sometimes triple bottom line. In addition to providing co-working space and 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.

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