Upcoming Events
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Business Lending Expo – Shelton, CT
In-person No-cost June 5, 9 a.m. – noon Courtyard by Marriott Shelton, 780 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484 REGISTER Meet over 25 SBA lenders and explore financing options. Discuss working capital, short and long-term financing, fixed assets and more. Discuss your working capital, fixed assets, and real estate needs Engage in free counseling, training and […]
Understanding Your Tech Stack: Review & Organize Your Business Software & Subscriptions
No-Cost Online June 4, 2026 12 – 1 p.m. REGISTER Learn how to identify and evaluate the software tools needed to run your business more efficiently with help from CTSBDC Advisor Dean Schwartz. Participants will create a practical spreadsheet to catalog each system in use, outlining its purpose, importance, and cost. This process will help […]
The Ins and Outs of Buying or Selling a Business
No-cost Online June 17, 2026 12 p.m. REGISTER Have you thought about buying a business, selling your business, or planning for a future transition, but are not sure where to start? Whether you are considering selling to an outside buyer, passing the business on to a family member, selling to employees, or purchasing an existing […]
How to Start a Business & Insider Insights into Business Banking
No-Cost In-Person June 9, 2026 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Waterbury Regional Chamber, Board Room Garage Parking Nearby REGISTER Ready to start your business? Let’s turn your idea into action. Join CTSBDC Advisor Shay Nagarsheth for an interactive session that breaks down exactly what it takes to launch your business with confidence. Whether you’re just […]
Starting a Business – July 14
No-cost Online July 14, 12 p.m. REGISTER Join Connecticut Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Valeria Bisceglia to learn more about what it takes to launch a business in Connecticut in 2026. From refining your concept to the regulatory questions you’ve never even thought about, this interactive session is designed to help new or aspiring […]
Iniciando Tu Negocio: Lo Que Necesitas Saber Para Lanzar un Negocio en CT @ HPL
July 28, 2026 6 – 7:30 p.m. Gratuito Hartford Public Library, Downtown Library, 500 Main St, Hartford CT En español REGISTER ¿Quieres empezar un negocio en Connecticut en 2026 y no sabes por dónde comenzar? En este taller aprenderás los pasos clave para iniciar tu negocio, desde la preparación inicial, plan de negocio y proyecciones […]
An Intro to Exporting @ HPL
No-Cost In-Person Aug. 20, 2026 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St, Hartford CT Street Parking/Garage Parking Nearby REGISTER Join us for an introductory workshop designed to help Connecticut businesses explore the opportunities of exporting. Led by Denise Whitford of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) in partnership with the […]
Funding Your Business @ HPL
No-Cost In-Person october 9, 2026 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., Hartford, CT Street Parking/Garage Parking Nearby REGISTER Designed to help small business owners navigate the loan application process with confidence, this event will give you a clear understanding of what lenders look for, what documents are required, and how […]
Financiando tu negocio: Lo que todo emprendedor debe saber @ HPL
No-Cost In-Person Oct. 29, 2026 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St, Hartford CT Street Parking/Garage Parking Nearby REGISTER ¿Necesitas financiamiento para tu negocio? Este taller te ayudará a entender cómo piensan los prestamistas, qué documentos y perfiles se evalúan, y cómo prepararte para tener más oportunidades de obtener un préstamo, […]
Latest News
View all newsCricket Press Taps UConn Students to Explore AI-Driven Growth Strategies
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective to unlock new growth. Through a recent collaboration between the UConn School of Business and the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), Cricket Press—a West Hartford staple since 1971—gained valuable insights from some of UConn’s top business students, opening the door to new opportunities and ideas. As […]
BrandChef.ai Wins Grand Prize at CTSBDC AI Pitch Competition
Connecticut’s next wave of innovation took center stage at the Westport Country Playhouse’s Lucille Lortel White Barn, where ten finalists pitched AI-driven solutions designed to tackle real-world challenges. Hosted by the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) in partnership with PREDICTif Solutions, nClouds, and AWS, the AI Pitch Competition showcased the ingenuity of the state’s entrepreneurs while providing up to $135,000 in professional services and […]
CTSBDC Client Caitlyn Grad Marketing Wins $10,000 Grant from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
At the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), advising is just one part of the value we offer—our broader network of resources can open unexpected doors for small business owners. Caitlyn Grad of Caitlyn Grad Marketing experienced this firsthand when, through a CTSBDC newsletter, she learned about our partnership with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, […]
CTSBDC Clients Among 2026 SBA Small Business Week Award Winners Connecticut
Connecticut Small Business Development Center is thrilled to announce that two of its clients are among this year’s SBA Small Business Week Award Winners. “Each year it is an honor to celebrate Connecticut’s outstanding small business owners, whose achievements over the past year standout. This years’ award winners embody the hard work it takes to succeed in […]
CTSBDC Advisor Nelson Merchan Honored as Innovator
East Hartford, CT — Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) is proud to announce CTSBDC advisor Nelson Merchan was honored by Westfair Business Journal as one of its 2025 Hispanic Innovators Honorees. Westfair Business Journal honors individuals for their leadership, ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to driving economic growth and positive change in Westchester and […]
Dorian Zwierewicz Named State Director of CTSBDC
East Hartford, CT — Dorian Zwierewicz has been named the State Director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), effective November 14, 2025. Zwierewicz recently served as the regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida – which received two awards of excellence in […]
CEDAS Honors Outgoing CTSBDC State Director with Kenneth L. Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award
East Hartford, CT – After 12 years with Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), including seven as State Director, Joe Ercolano is retiring, effective November 5, 2025. In addition to well wishes from colleagues at CTSBDC and UConn School of Business, Ercolano was honored by the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) with the Kenneth L. […]