Hartford’s reSET, a nonprofit accelerator for social enterprise startups, announced 16 Connecticut companies selected for its Impact Accelerator program this year.
Companies in the cohort will work for four months to advance their businesses with the help of reSET staff, mentors and other resources at reSET’s coworking space in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, it said. The highest-rated startups will have the opportunity to compete in reSET’s Venture Showcase, where they can win up to $20,000 in prize money.
Startups selected for the Impact Accelerator program are all “mission-driven” companies that address public issues. Of the 16 companies selected, 10 are based in Greater Hartford.
“reSET is unique in its design and purpose, since it is set up as the only Social Enterprise Trust that we know of in the state of Connecticut,” said Franz Hochstrasser, co-founder of Raise Green, and an Impact Accelerator alum.Â
Besides its accelerator program, reSET, which was established in 2013, also offers a coworking space for startups and an internship program for students.
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Companies in the 2020 cohort include:
- Tip$, a digital tipping service for hotel guests who do not have cash for tipping their room attendant.
- Care 4 Your Own LLC, which works to inspire growth and maturity, youth learning and career awareness through books, cartoons, the inspirational magic of music, autism awareness, puppetry, computers, environmental studies, clothing, games, and apps.
- Her Move LLC, a woman-owned boutique recruitment consultancy focused on hiring women into critical leadership positions at growing software companies.
- Seedership, a social impact and storytelling platform to help local businesses deepen community connections.
- Outside the Box, which offers low-cost marketing expertise and support for a fraction of the cost.
- Raggedy Rob Productions, which runs the Each One, Teach One comedy workshop.
- Flourish Bizcenter LLC, which runs customized coaching and business support programs.
- Mobility Bikes, which installs private bike-sharing systems in supportive housing facilities.
- Legacy Lineage, which offers child care and family support.
- Word Scientists, which provides early childhood educators with high-quality, affordable reading materials and professional training.
- Moving With Health Oriented Physical Education (H.O.P.E.) an adaptive fitness, rehab, and learning center.
- The FunAbilities Co., which connects people with accessibility needs to one another and to businesses that serve them.
- The Law Offices of Isis M. Irizarry, an immigration law firm.
- ImpaCT Training, a sports and wellness organization.
- A Spirit of Joy Organic Skin Care, an organic and vegan skin care company.
- Preppers Meal Prep, which sells healthy, ready-made meals.
