PROGRAMS
Retail Incubator
Applications are open! Apply by 11:59pm, August 2
Turn Your Product into a Business. Get Funded in 12 Weeks.
Get expert mentorship, real retail exposure, and $700 Small Business Grant when you complete the program.*
The Reset Retail Incubator is a 12-week hybrid program designed to help early-stage creators in Hartford, New Haven, and statewide launch, scale, and fund their businesses.
Whether you're selling candles, clothing, food, art, skincare, jewelry, or another consumer product, the Retail Incubator gives you the training, community, and resources to help you launch, grow, and sell with confidence.
The Cost: $150 total (Financial assistance available)
The Payoff: Complete the program, register your business, and receive a guaranteed $700 Small Business Grant* to fund your next inventory run, branding, or equipment.
Invest $150. Walk away with $700 + a scaling retail business.
*This isn't a competitive lottery. Every single participant who completes the 12-week program requirements and submits their business registration forms will receive the $700 grant, funded by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (CT DECD).
Mark Your Calendar:
The application window is brief, and the cohort is intentionally kept small to ensure hands-on mentorship.
Important Deadlines
- July 22 (4-5 PM): Info Session
- August 2 (11:59 PM): Applications Close
- August 6–8: Interviews
- August 13: Final Selection & Notifications
- August 26: First $50 payment due upon acceptance
The Schedule
- Program Runs: August 26 – November 18
- Weekly Classes (Virtual): Wednesdays from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday Deep-Dive Workshops (In-person): Sept 12, Oct 10, and Nov 7
- Final Showcase Event: November 18
In Partnership With BL&D
The Retail Incubator is delivered in partnership with Breakfast Lunch & Dinner (BL&D), a Connecticut-based organization dedicated to creating vibrant, community-centered economic opportunities.
Through initiatives like the Retail Incubator, BL&D transforms underutilized spaces into thriving retail destinations, helping local entrepreneurs connect with customers through pop-up markets, storefront activations, and community events. As a Retail Incubator participant, you'll become part of a broader ecosystem that supports local businesses, fosters collaboration, and creates meaningful opportunities for growth.
Still Have Questions?
Join an upcoming Information Session to learn more about the Retail Incubator, meet the program team, and get answers to your questions. We'll cover program benefits, eligibility requirements, important dates, the application process, and the $700 Small Business Grant opportunity.
Upcoming Information Session
Date: July 22, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Overview
The Retail Incubator is a 12-week hybrid program designed to help Connecticut entrepreneurs launch, strengthen, and grow successful product-based businesses. Through expert-led workshops, hands-on learning, and personalized mentorship, you'll gain the skills, confidence, and resources to turn your vision into a sustainable retail brand.
Throughout the program, you'll learn how to:
- Develop a business plan and refine your business model
- Identify your ideal customer and build an effective pricing strategy
- Create a compelling brand and strengthen your online presence
- Access funding opportunities and prepare for business growth
- Showcase your products through pop-up markets and retail opportunities
Beyond the classroom, you'll connect with experienced mentors, receive legal and financial guidance, collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, and gain real-world opportunities to pitch, market, and sell your products.
Who is it for?
The Retail Incubator is designed for Connecticut entrepreneurs who are ready to launch, grow, or strengthen a product-based business. Whether you're turning a passion into a business or looking to take your existing brand to the next level, this program provides the guidance, resources, and community to help you move forward with confidence.
This program is ideal for:
- Entrepreneurs with a product-based business or business idea
- Early-stage businesses looking to grow and expand
- Connecticut-based individuals and micro-enterprises (teams of five or fewer)
- Makers, artists, food entrepreneurs, retailers, and consumer product businesses seeking support to scale
We especially encourage applications from:
- Entrepreneurs in Greater Hartford and Greater New Haven
- Women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses
- Businesses committed to serving and strengthening their local communities
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, the Retail Incubator is designed to help you build a stronger business and prepare for long-term success.
What You Get in 12 Weeks
Real Market Traction & Retail Exposure
Don't just learn in a classroom. Test your product in the real world. You’ll get hands-on training and built-in opportunities to sell your products and gain exposure through pop-up markets, digital platforms, and a Final Showcase Event.
Expert Mentorship & Weekly Training
Stop guessing your next move. Get weekly, human-centered training from retail experts and join a tight-knit peer community of local CT entrepreneurs who will keep you sharp and accountable.
Massive Perks & Coworking Access
Your tuition unlocks premium business resources at Reset's Hartford headquarters, worth hundreds of dollars on their own:
- 40 hours/month of weekday access to Reset’s coworking space.
- A professional business mailing address for your brand.
- Free admission to all Reset workshops and discounted rates for event space rentals.
Ready to Level-Up Your Brand?
Whether you have a brand-new product you're proud of or you're trying to scale an existing venture, Floor–Plan gives you the capital, the community, and the retail space to make it happen.
Takes less than 10 minutes. Applications close August 2.
