Ten Aspiring Entrepreneurs Preparing to Enter the Market

HARTFORD, Conn.– The Social Enterprise Accelerator Program, an educational program designed specifically for aspiring social entrepreneurs in Connecticut, is underway at 99 Pratt Street in Hartford. reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust, launched its second program on September 6, 2013 with ten participants.

Social enterprises are in business to solve social problems, creating jobs and businesses at the same time. They are sometimes referred to as “for profit; for purpose.” These businesses have in common that are innovative, market-supported, self-sustaining, and mission-driven.

reSET offered its first accelerator program starting in January 2013, and plans to offer it twice a year in the future. This fall’s program has been expanded in length, providing social entrepreneurs with fourteen weeks to work on testing their business assumptions; building a multiple, bottom line business model; and developing strategy. Participants in the fall session began the weekly, four-hour class on September 6, 2013. Classes will continue on Fridays at reSET’s coworking space, 99 Pratt Street, Suite 200 in Hartford Conn.

Over the course of the program, reSET staff members will work alongside the entrepreneurs as a support system to help develop and reach business goals, navigate resources, and form valuable relationships with other members of the Connecticut social enterprise community. The 42-hour curriculum is led by reSET staff and business experts, and is capped by a Pitch Night, where participants briefly explain their business idea for potential investors. The public is invited to attend both the graduation and Pitch Night on December 4th.

Expert-taught seminars topics include Social Impact Assessments and Measuring Social Value taught by guest speaker Sophie Faris of B-Lab; and Social Enterprise Board Development, Governance, and Stakeholder Management, taught by guest speaker Richard Lawton, Founder and Principal of Triple Ethos, LLC.

Participants gain access to programming and resources intended to help social enterprises reach their double bottom-line goals (people and profit). Instructional seminars will be paired with ongoing coaching and mentoring from reSET’s network of business and social enterprises, including advisors, mentors, and pro-bono professionals.

Reflecting on the first meeting of the newest accelerator group, Program Director Michelle Cote said the new class brings a wide range of experience, passion, and approaches to creating more value for Connecticut’s communities.

“Participants are already making connections between the work that they are doing, and finding ways to support each other. One of the reasons we run this program is to help build a sense of community amongst the social entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference in our state. So far, we’re off to a great start” said Cote.

The next Social Enterprise Accelerator Program will be offered February to May of 2014. Online applications will be accepted starting in January 2014. Those interested can learn more about the program at reSET’s website, www.socialenterprisetrust.org.

reSET has helped launch and grow 11 social enterprises, associated with 20 jobs, in the last year. Two of those businesses are working to become regional in scale and one to become national in scale. This summer, reSET also opened a community coworking space at 99 Pratt Street in Hartford. The space welcomes social entrepreneurs, small businesses, freelancers, and visiting business people.
Contact Information:
Meryl Willett
Community Builder
Phone: 860-560-9120 ext. 204
MWillett@www.socialenterprisetrust.org