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News and Events

The winners and judges from the CTSBDC AI Pitch Competition
May 12, 2026

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 […]

Ciatlyn Grad in a pink sweater leaning in a door
April 29, 2026

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, […]

Promotional image about "understanding your tech stack" workshop
April 21, 2026

Understanding Your Tech Stack: Review & Organize Your Business Software & Subscriptions

ACCESS THE RECORDING 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 uncover gaps, redundancies, and opportunities to streamline […]

April 10, 2026

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 […]

Promotional image for Data Privacy Basics workshop
March 20, 2026

Is Your Website Putting You on the Hook? CT Privacy Law Basics for Owners, Plus 2026 Changes

ACCESS THE RECORDING Many small businesses assume that privacy laws apply only to large companies. Connecticut’s privacy law says otherwise, especially as the law expands on July 1, 2026. In this webinar, we focus on the real-world places where risk shows up for small businesses: website tracking, ad pixels and retargeting, intake forms, email lists, […]

A promotional image for the April 2, 2026 webinar about Financing Your Business.
March 3, 2026

Financiando tu nuevo negocio: Lo que todo emprendedor debe saber

REGISTRATE Las personas que están comenzando un negocio o que lo han iniciado recientemente suelen preguntarse de dónde pueden obtener financiamiento para impulsarlo en esta etapa inicial. Sin embargo, más que centrarse únicamente en conseguir dinero, todo dueño de negocio debe definir cuánto necesita, para qué lo utilizará y si su negocio, y él o […]

Promotional image for "level Up Your Trademark Game" webin
February 13, 2026

Level Up Your Trademark Game: Smarter Protection for Small Business Brands

ACCESS THE RECORDING If your brand is growing, your trademark strategy should grow with it. This session moves past introductory concepts to look at the broader toolkit—word marks, design marks, slogans/taglines, trade dress, and other non-traditional marks—plus how to think about coverage as you expand products, services, or markets. Join us in partnership with the […]

A promotional image for the "Contract Ready: A Checklist for Doing Business with the State and Tips for Navigating CT Source" online learning session
February 11, 2026

Contract Ready: A Checklist for Doing Business with the State and Tips for Navigating CT Source

ACCESS THE RECORDING The State of Connecticut purchases everything from catering and construction services to gasoline and guiderails—and your business could be part of it. In this session, the Department of Administrative Services will offer a practical, step‑by‑step overview of how to become contract‑ready, including the benefits of pursuing state work and the key actions […]

Promotional image for the "Want to Win a Contract" online learning session.
January 27, 2026

Want to Win a Contract? Develop a Capacity Plan

Access the Recording Equip your business to compete — and win — at the CT Business Matchmaker. Contracting with government agencies and large corporate buyers requires more than certifications and a capability statement — it requires capacity. Join Steven Semaya, Associate State Director, Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), for a practical online learning session […]

A promotional image with the details of the New Year, New Business Webinar
December 19, 2025

New Year, New Business: What You Need to Know About Starting a Business in 2026

ACCESS RECORDING Is your New Year’s Resolution to finally start the small business you’ve been dreaming of? Join Connecticut Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Mary Kay Della Camera 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 […]