The reSET Impact Accelerator is a three-month program that supports entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized startups in the Hartford Region, giving them access to knowledge, networks, and resources to help them grow their businesses and amplify their social impact.
Mentor Impact
reSET is currently seeking mentors to bring their expertise to the 2021 Impact Accelerator cohort.
“Being able to volunteer our time, our funding, and our resources is a critical piece of helping our communities thrive,” says Payveris Chief Technology Officer Nate Dudek, who is a reSET Board Member and mentor. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer at reSET and witness first-hand the amazing return-on-investment in our region.”
Giverrang is one of the 16 startups participating in this year’s Impact Accelerator. “We’re excited to connect with the mentors in the program and we’re grateful they’re willing to help us in our journey,” emphasizes Giverrang Founder & CEO Mark Walerysiak Jr. “A major part of this experience for us will be soaking up as much knowledge, insight, and feedback as possible. We know we have excellent traits as entrepreneurs, we’re also aware that we may have blind spots that can be strengthened through the experience and guidance of these experts.”
Past Impact Accelerator participants remain connected to reSET and its current cohort, offering insight, guidance, and support.
“Our involvement in the Accelerator exposed us to great mentors,” notes serial entrepreneur Andréa Hawkins. She and her husband Doug Barber participated in the 2017 Impact Accelerator, two years after opening Berkins Blend Café in Glastonbury. Since then they opened a second location, Berkins on Oak, in Hartford. “We had been thinking about growth traditionally and our Human Resources mentor challenged to think about alternate ways to scale our staff by utilizing full, part-time, and weekend-only staff to support our growth,” she adds.
As a 2020 Impact Accelerator participant, seedership Co-Founder Jennifer Smithberger offers another perspective. “Repeatedly practicing our pitch and doing all the mentor meet and greets helped us gain clarity about how we presented our story and refine our value proposition,” she says. Jennifer is cheering on this year’s cohort, which she describes as “change makers focused on valued social causes,” and looking forward to seeing how their journeys progress.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in mentoring during the 2021 Impact Accelerator cohort, fill out reSET’s Professional Network Registration form and indicate your availability for upcoming sessions by Monday, January 25.
reSET seeks mentor volunteers on an ongoing basis. So, if you’re unable to mentor during the 2021 Impact Accelerator, you can still fill out a form and reSET will follow up as other opportunities arise.