Hartford, CT Thursday, June 9, 2022 -- ReSET, Hartford’s non-profit entrepreneur support organization with a mission to develop social enterprises, will celebrate 11 Impact Accelerator graduating companies at its Venture Showcase on Thursday, June 23, beginning at 5:30pm at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. The event is open to the public and tickets are available for purchase now at: https://bit.ly/RESETVS. 

The Venture Showcase will feature a pitch competition from the companies who will deliver their perfected pitches for $15,000 in prize money and includes an audience favorite prize category to support the future growth of their exciting emerging businesses. The event will be catered by past reSET Foodie Incubator participants. Judging for the pitch competition will be Rache Brand, Partner at Star Strong Capital, Kim Hawkins, President and CEO of HEDCO, and Onyeka Obiocha, Executive Director of CTNext.

The 2022 Impact Accelerator cohort has worked together intensively over four months, along with facilitator Christine Sullivan, reSET’s Impact Accelerator seven-member Advisory Board, and other reSET volunteer mentors, to refine their business plans and financial modeling skills, dive deeply into customer discovery and target markets, and learn how to scale their businesses while keeping their social mission as a priority. 

“This 2022 cohort of companies is impressive,” said Sarah Bodley, reSET Executive Director. "We're seeing great consumer products and a real focus on wellness and sustainability from this year's businesses. They all came in with a solid base and some revenue, and in the past four months it's been exciting to see them continue to prove their business concepts and think about scale. reSET is pleased to be able to support their future growth through technical support, mentoring and cash prizes sourced from our donors."

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic is poised to be stronger and more networked than ever before,” said Onyeka Obiocha, Executive Director of CTNext and a funding partner of reSET. “CTNext is pleased to support organizations such as reSET and the entrepreneurs they work with, to grow businesses and strengthen the Connecticut economy with new, community-built firms that make our cities and towns more vibrant and diverse.”

Upon graduation from the Impact Accelerator at the June 23rd event, the 11 companies will join a reSET Accelerator alumni group of over 140 companies who have participated since 2013. Collectively, these companies have generated over $25 million in revenue, received over $17 million in investment and supported over 350 jobs.



This year’s Impact Accelerator cohort can be characterized in several different ways: ten are women-owned companies, eight are companies are founded by people identifying as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC), two are focused on sustainable sourcing and buying, three are focused on self-care, two work on cultural resources, and two work on business capacity building and elevating diverse communities through skill building.

The companies selected for this year’s Impact Accelerator are:

• Breakfast Belle (https://breakfastbelle.com/) has been introducing the North to authentic Southern-style cuisine since 2015, specializing in breakfast and brunch. Breakfast Belle offers two well-known food products for retail sale; Bamma Fish Fry Seasoned Seafood Cornmeal and Breakfast Belle Hot Sauce.
• Eco Evolution (https://www.ecoevolution.co/) is a low-waste marketplace and ethical retail store.  All products are good for people and the planet.  Eco Evolution sells consumer products for the home, bath, body, kitchen, laundry as well as vintage and upcycled products.
• The Greener Gift (https://thegreenergift.com/) is an earth-conscious business with two main focuses: consciously produced textile goods that are designed to support a greener lifestyle, and shame-free eco-education and empowerment.
• History Chip (https://www.historychip.com/) History Chip invites everyone in the world - including women, people of color, and other marginalized groups - to add their true stories to its fully searchable online archive. These stories will fill in gaps to make history more truthful and complete.
• HR Zoom (https://hrswagshop.com/) empowers organizations to achieve operational excellence elevated by top talent and inclusive workplace cultures. The HR Zoom brand features trendy merchandise promoting diversity, social equity, empowerment, and all things related to workplace culture.
• Ital Creations (https://italsoapco.com/) is a natural body care company specializing in educating the community on effective self/skincare and products that are safe for the skin.
• Jodi Cup of Health (https://www.jodicupofhealth.com/) is an all natural handmade products are made with love to enhance your Divine Beauty. Holistic beauty, health, and wellness are the core essentials of what we do. Jodi Cup of Health looks forward to changing the narrative of beauty; making "Healthy Living Divine Love".
• Lauren Simone Publishing (https://www.laurensimonepubs.com/) is a publishing service located in Hartford, CT that empowers youth and connects aspiring diverse authors with diverse illustrators to create diverse and inclusive children's books for all to enjoy.
• Momentum Life Mastery Coaching (https://www.facebook.com/MomentumLifeCoachingMovingForward/) supports individuals and groups using a holistic approach to facilitate customized coaching programs, workshops, and 1:1 personal development services. Clients work in close partnership to move forward from root assessment to achieve tangible results with clarity & confidence.
• More Than A Coloring Book (https://morethanacoloringbook.com/) is a therapy tool inspired by people of color around the world. From coloring pages to inspirational quotes and plenty of journaling space for reflection, this is the perfect mindfulness tool to break from those busy days.
• SoChill (https://www.sochillvibes.com/) is a CBD lifestyle brand promoting self-care culture via ethically sourced hemp products.

The 2022 Venture Showcase is sponsored by Gold Level sponsors PeoplesBank, Webster Bank and The Walker Group; Silver Level sponsors Pratt & Whitney and Connecticut Science Center; and Bronze Level sponsor Stanley Black & Decker. Additional program support is provided by Travelers, CTNext, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and many more.

About reSET

reSET is a nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. reSET 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. www.resetco.org

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