Reset Hosts 2026 Venture Showcase for Impact Accelerator Entrepreneurs on June 24
Eight Businesses Will Compete for Over $15,000 in Prizes and Grant Support at CT State Community College–Gateway
Hartford, CT, June 4, 2026 — Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing social entrepreneurship, announces its 2026 Impact Accelerator Graduation & Pitch Showcase, taking place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at CT State Community College–Gateway, 20 Church Street in New Haven. The event is open to the public and celebrates the conclusion of Reset's Spring 2026 Impact Accelerator cohort.
Eight businesses will take the stage to deliver live pitches before a panel of judges and a community audience. This year’s cohort of growth-stage entrepreneurs have achieved market validation and are ready to scale. Each presenting company will receive a $1,000 micro-grant, and in addition will compete for over $7,000 in prizes distributed across first, second, and third place and Audience Choice Award, giving attendees a direct hand in supporting Connecticut's next wave of mission-driven businesses.
"These entrepreneurs have spent three months doing the real work — stress-testing their models, sharpening their strategies, and holding each other accountable," said Sarah Bodley, Reset’s Executive Director. "The Showcase is the moment it all comes together in public. We're excited to give this cohort the stage they've earned, and to invite the community to see the caliber of talent and impact this program produces."
The evening will open with registration, appetizers, and networking from 5:30 to 6:00 PM, followed by the entrepreneur live pitches. While the audience deliberates on the Audience Choice Award, Judges will determine the additional prizes, with winners announced live. Guests can network and visit cohort entrepreneurs at dedicated presentation tables through 8:00 PM.
Tickets are available now at https://bit.ly/iavs26. An Early bird discount is available through June 10th, and a portion of ticket sales will support the prize pool.
Reset's Impact Accelerator is the only Connecticut business accelerator program that prioritizes identifying and measuring social impact alongside profit. During the three-month intensive, founders have the space and accountability to strategize and scale their businesses. In-person summits and virtual gatherings bring together industry experts and mentors, with a distinctive focus on integrating social mission as a competitive advantage. Upon graduation, these entrepreneurs will join a Reset alumni community of over 700 companies that have participated in cohort-based programs since 2013. Collectively, Reset alumni companies have generated over $39 million in revenue, received over $22.9 million in outside investment, and supported over 779 jobs.
The eight businesses in the 2026 Impact Accelerator cohort are:
Design Elementary, founded by Cassandra Hamer, is a creative education company that teaches children the fundamentals of graphic design while reinforcing core academic and critical thinking skills. Through engaging, age-appropriate lessons and resources, it empowers young learners to think creatively, solve problems, and see themselves as confident creators in both school and life.
IFS Dating and Matchmaking, founded by Kristine Anthis, Ph.D., a matchmaker and an experienced couples therapist who has learned what is necessary for long/term compatibility. IFS Data and Matchmaking helps people better connect with themselves — so they can better connect with others.
The Kem Lab, founded by Christina Outlaw, is a brand media agency working with entrepreneurs, brands, and organizations to build visual campaigns and cultural moments that actually move people.
LEAP Consulting, founded by Elizabeth McGee and Daniel Cicala is an independent evaluation firm that partners with nonprofits, universities, and public agencies to conduct research and evaluation aimed at driving systems-level social change through participatory, equity-centered approaches.
The Main Avent | T-Shirt World, created by Ashon Avent is a custom apparel and manufacturing brand that helps businesses, schools, and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life through high-quality, scalable print solutions—from one-off designs to full wholesale production.
ReST Therapeutics, led by Anthony Franco is a patient-centric, precision neuropsychiatric biotech developing therapies for significant unmet medical needs in PTSD, Alzheimer's and TBI. With teams in Paris, France and New Haven, Connecticut, ReST Therapeutics is on a mission to help patients reclaim their lives from Stress and Trauma.
The Sanctuary Club, founded by DeNee Saunders helps ambitious people navigate their careers and develop strategic plans that transform ideas into real opportunities.
Stay Free Coffee was born from founder Scott Bodnar’s lived experience with isolation and incarceration. Bodnar is growing the brand into a cafe/music venue that provides a space for connection, creativity, second chances and inspiration.
For more information about the 2026 Impact Accelerator Graduation & Pitch Showcase, visit www.resetco.org/events or contact Reset at info@resetco.org.
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 700 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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