Applications Open for Impact Accelerator and Food Incubator Entrepreneurial Support Programs

awalsh • January 8, 2024

Spring Programs Will Support Entrepreneurs Looking to Grow Businesses with Impact

January 8, 2024 (Hartford, CT)--reSET, the Hartford-based entrepreneur support organization committed to nurturing businesses with a social mission, announced the opening of applications for two separate cohort-based entrepreneurial support programs to run this spring, as well as its first Community Pitch Night of 2024 for early stage entrepreneurs to gain pitching practice and audience feedback in a fun, low pressure format.

“It’s a new year and a great time to reflect and plan on your business growth goals for the year ahead. Connecticut is home to so many smart, driven people with great ideas - many of them hoping to make a positive mark on the world,” said Sarah Bodley, reSET’s Executive Director. “We’re excited to open applications for both our Impact Accelerator and Food Incubator programs this month. Plus, we’ll be hosting a Community Pitch Night on February 1st for folks just looking to get some feedback and test the waters. This is going to be a fun season.”

Impact Accelerator

The Impact Accelerator is Connecticut’s longest-running accelerator program, having started in 2013. It is a transformational experience designed for entrepreneurs seeking to solve a social, environmental, cultural, or economic problem either directly or indirectly through their business. The Impact Accelerator helps entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation and support network and set the stage for growth. The four-month program will consist of in-person and virtual meetings that focus on understanding customers, competitive product positioning, and laying a solid business foundation to prepare for building and scaling the startup while embedding a social impact lens from the early stages. A strong focus of the program will include business mentorship, business pitch practice, and access to reSET’s extensive network and resources.

More details on the Impact Accelerator, including Information Session event details, program dates, cost and application may be found here: https://www.resetco.org/impact-accelerator. The deadline to apply to the Impact Accelerator is February 11, 2024.

Food Incubator

For early-stage food entrepreneurs, reSET will be running its 6th Food Incubator program. The Food Incubator curriculum is designed to help new entrepreneurs develop their business plan and elevator pitch, develop strategic marketing and branding, explore food business resources available in Connecticut and the northeast region, review licensing and regulatory requirements, and more. The program targets entrepreneurs in the early stages of launching and growing their food service (i.e. catering, bakery, restaurant or food truck) businesses, or firms developing and selling consumer packaged goods through grocery and other retail outlets. Offered in partnership with Hands on Hartford, and thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, successful graduates of the program are able to apply for up to $700 in grants to support their business growth at the conclusion of the program.

More details on the Food Incubator program, including, dates, cost and application may be found here: https://www.resetco.org/food-incubator. reSET will be hosting several information sessions and events before the application deadline, including a virtual information session on Monday, January 22 at 5:30 pm. Any emerging entrepreneur interested in applying is encouraged to attend and should register via this link: https://bit.ly/reset-FoodIncubatorInfo. The application for the Food Incubator closes on February 11, 2024.

reSET Community Pitch Night

The first reSET Community Pitch Night of 2024 will be held at reSET on Thursday, February 1 at 5:30pm. Entrepreneurs are invited to present their business in a 5 minute pitch and get feedback from the audience on the business idea in a quick fashion in a supportive environment. Networking before and after will also be available. More details and registration may be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reset-community-pitch-night-tickets-791290219347.

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).

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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.