HARTFORD, CT – November 25, 2025 – reSET concluded its fall Food Accelerator and Floor–Plan Retail Incubator programs this month with two exciting pitch competitions, celebrating entrepreneurs building socially impactful food and retail businesses in Connecticut.

"These entrepreneurs represent the creativity, resilience, and community impact that reSET holds at the core of our work to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses," said Sarah Bodley, reSET’s Executive Director. "Whether they're bringing innovative flavors to our tables or creating meaningful retail experiences, each participant has worked tremendously hard to develop their business skills and prepare to scale their ventures, and we’re thrilled to showcase their ventures."

Food Accelerator Foodie Demo Day Winners 

At Parkville Market on Monday November 10, attendees sampled dishes and watched live pitches from 11 Food Accelerator businesses before voting for their favorites. Winning the top spots from the audience vote were:

• Suleman "Sully" Dode of Paki Taco took first place with his unforgettable "almost famous" Butter Chicken Gordita Crunch. 
• Brittney Michelle Williams of Brittney's Famous Alabama Kitchen secured second place with a dynamic pitch and her low-sodium, high-flavor take on Gullah Red Rice. 
• Third place was a tie between Empanadictas, founded by Marta Bibiana Garcia Barrios, and Los Barbados, founded by Mark and Marisa Belgrave, who brought their fan-favorite fish cakes.

About the Food Accelerator

The 12-week hybrid program provided 12 entrepreneurs, representing 11 businesses, with hands-on business support, expert mentorship, and community connections through weekly workshops and implementation sessions. Topics covered include customer understanding, business model strengthening, team building, sustainable scaling, and impact storytelling. 

The financial education component of the program this year was offered thanks to an educational partnership with Liberty Bank and Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC). Upon successful program completion, each entrepreneur is eligible to apply for up to $2,000 in small business grants made possible through funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The top 4 businesses, as voted on by the audience, will split over $2,500 in cash prizes funded by the DECD and audience donations, to help further their companies’ growth.

Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Pop Up & Pitch Winners

At the Lyceum in Hartford on November 19, attendees browsed products and watched pitches from the 10 entrepreneurs graduating from the Floor-Plan Retail Incubator. Top vote-getters from the audience were:

• Posh Paint, led by Candace Donaldson, took first place. The mobile paint party business has served the Hartford community for nearly a decade, specializing in interactive art experiences that inspire confidence, connection, and joy while partnering with schools and nonprofits for community impact.
• Second place was awarded to Kobo Studio, founded by Hanae Ko, a female- and Asian-American-owned small business creating original cat-themed gifts with a focus on supporting cat rescues and community impact.
• Third place went to TYLER CLUB 29, founded by Lucius Downey, a learning academy providing valuable educational resources including books, applications, and games, with a focus on children's literature.
• Fourth place was a tie between Bok Choy Studios, a multi-faceted art project helmed by Hendrick Xiong, a Chinese-American working artist, and Montage Station + Co., led by Anne Powers, an experiential brick-and-mortar retail store in Hamden.



Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs

The Floor–Plan Retail Incubator reflects reSET's commitment to supporting retail entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. Participants gain access to experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. At the conclusion of the program, participants are eligible to apply for a $700 small business grant, made possible through funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The top 5 winners, as voted for by the audience, will split over $2,500 in cash grants funded by the DECD and audience donations to help fuel their companies’ growth.

About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator

The Floor–Plan Retail Business Incubator served 10 businesses represented by 10 entrepreneurs in its fifth year as a partnership between reSET and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. The three-month program provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, access a supportive community, and prepare for new market opportunities. 

About reSET

Founded in 2007, reSET is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, reSET acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. reSET specializes in social enterprise — impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines — providing coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, reSET and Collab have assisted over 500 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more.

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