(Hartford, Conn., Sept. 29, 2015) – reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust, (www.SocialEnterpriseTrust.org), whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector, yesterday celebrated the grand opening of its 5,500 square-foot reSET Business Factory in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood. Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith, and MetroHartford Alliance Vice President and Director John Shemo joined reSET Founder and CEO Kate Emery and her team in a ribbon tying ceremony.

Members of the reSET community, including coworkers, past participants of its business accelerator program, its Board of Directors, and honorees of the 2015 Impact Challenge also joined the celebration.

“Innovation Destination: Hartford,” a new website serving and showcasing the region’s entrepreneurial community, was debuted at yesterday’s event as well.

Photos accompanying this release are available at the following links:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskkEUpWB (Pre-event toast for Impact Challenge honorees)

https://flic.kr/s/aHskkEV6uV (Grand Opening)

“The team and I are thankful for our many partners and sponsors, who have been with us every step of the way and who helped make the new space possible, including the soon to be built media lab and a cafe which will be open to both members and the public,” said Emery. “And that’s just the beginning. With support from our growing number of partners, we are building a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem right here in Hartford. We hope to make reSET the “go-to” place for impact entrepreneurs, to have Hartford known as the Impact City, and to make Connecticut the Social Enterprise state!”

Staff at reSET echoed excitement about the grand opening. They were stationed throughout the exterior and interior of the building, overseeing activities, distributing food and beverages, and giving tours.

About reSET

reSET is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. Its strategic goals are threefold: to be the “go-to” place for impact entrepreneurs, to make Hartford known as Impact City, and Connecticut the Social Enterprise state. reSET serves all entrepreneurs, but 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.

reSET’s accelerator, LaunchPad for Impact, was recently a winner of the U.S. Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Competition, and was the only Connecticut accelerator to receive the award this year. www.SocialEnterpriseTrust.org