reSET is excited to announce the launch of a new blog series, posted in partnership between HYPE and reSET, which will provide a space for the Entrepreneurs of Hartford to talk about the work that they do and the impact they are having in the community. 

For our first post, we will showcase HYPE and all of the incredible ways they are able to support Hartford’s growing entrepreneurial community. In exchange, HYPE has a blog on their website all about reSET! 

So, Why Hartford Entrepreneurs? Why do we all LOVE to LOVE Hartford, Caitlin Thayer, HYPE Program Director answers that question and more!! 

“There are so many things that I love about Hartford, and community is at the top of that list.”- Caitlin Thayer

[fa type=”comments-o” size=3x]Why Hartford Entrepreneurs? Tell us about your organization. 

Hartford Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs is an initiative of the MetroHartford Alliance, which provides networking events and programming for young professionals in the Region. Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship is important to us (that’s why it’s a part of our name!) and we do what we can to support them however we’re able to. Part of the mission of both the MetroHartford Alliance and HYPE is to create a Region that encourages people to live, work and play here. We recognize that this is a great place to start a business, and we want to support young professionals who are doing so.

[fa type=”comments-o” size=3x]Tell us about your role helping support entrepreneurs in Hartford.

HYPE holds two major events during the year to support entrepreneurship in the Region. The first is the Entrepreneurship Awards, held in April of each year, which recognizes young professionals who are succeeding with the businesses. Business owners nominate themselves to be recognized, and finalists are chosen who present their businesses in front of a panel of judges. Winners are chosen based on how well they’re doing, and their plans for growth. This past year we had a record number of nominations, and had a really hard time choosing finalists because there were so many great businesses!

The other event we hold is called Startup Weekend Hartford. Startup Weekend is an international event series where entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike come together in one weekend to pitch an idea, form teams and create business plans. After 54 hours, they present their business to a panel of judges and the winner receives a prize pack that will help them turn their idea into a real business. It’s a crazy, awesome, tiring weekend that promotes startup culture.

[fa type=”comments-o” size=3x]What do you love about Hartford?

There are so many things that I love about Hartford, and community is at the top of that list. As a business owner myself, I can attest to the tight knit community we have here. I moved here 7 years ago and decided to start a business. I’ve been successful with it in part due to the help I’ve received from people in this Region.

[fa type=”comments-o” size=3x]What motivates you to do what you do?

Before I worked for HYPE, the organization provided me a way to make friends, to socialize, ways to get involved with the community, and helped me with my business. I’m thrilled that I now get the opportunity to work at HYPE and to do the same for others.

[fa type=”comments-o” size=3x]What was the impetus for this blog series?

Through HYPE, I’ve been introduced to dozens of amazing businesses owned by young professionals in this region. I want to make sure that others hear about them as well, so why not have a series of blogs about Hartford entrepreneurs? I want to feature entrepreneurs from all industries, all backgrounds, all experiences. I think people will be interested in this series because we live in an incredibly supportive and curious community. I think many people are also generally curious about Why Hartford? Everyone has their own story and their own connection to the City, and I can’t wait to hear the stories and to share them on our blogs.

Boilerplate: This blog series, done as a partnership between HYPE and reSET (reSET and HYPE on your side), offers a platform to showcase the commitment that Hartford Entrepreneurs have for their work and this City. It will examine how young entrepreneurs have chosen their work, and give examples of the ways in which they are having an impact in Hartford.

Community Builder, Meryl Willett’s Blog about reSET HERE