Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) is proud to announce Program Manager Angela Rodiguez as our 2026 State Star Award recipient. This prestigious award, given annually to a member of each SBDC team from across the country, recognizes staff who have demonstrated exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success. “As one of […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Mayor Dorinda Borer and the city’s Economic Development Commission presented the first forum of its kind for small-business owners at West Haven High School on Tuesday, June 11. With more than 100 business owners in attendance, the forum consisted of speakers from local, state, and federal agencies sharing the resources available for businesses to thrive. As […]
Bankers and business owners by the dozens gathered at Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business on the morning of June 4 for the “Capital Matchmaker” event hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Connecticut Small Business Development Council (CTSBDC). Modeled after a speed dating event, representatives of banks sat at tables in one of […]
Hadley Rosen, a 15-year resident of West Hartford, has teamed up with her dad and launched the chocolate business Chocolena, which is renting kitchen space at GastroPark and has had regular pop-ups there as well. Rosen said she and her husband Todd (a wealth manager at May, Bonee, and Clark), have two children at Braeburn School, […]
People in Bridgeport on Thursday celebrated Black Business Month with an empowering event for entrepreneurs. It was held at the Housatonic Community College. There were inspiring panels and networking opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. The panel discussions provided insight for new business owners, on how to start and grow their business. “Unfortunately, a lot of businesses […]