See what Hartford has to offer
local entrepreneurs.
Grow your business today!
  • Home
  • Events
  • Archives
  • Startups
  • Resources
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • FAQs
official_facebook official_twitter official_rss

Entrepreneur Discovers CT Startup Scene

HomeBlog Entrepreneur Discovers CT Startup Scene

Entrepreneur Discovers CT Startup Scene

April 02 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Blog 0 comments Tags: BioCT, Connecticut, Connecticut Innovations, CT, CTNext, Innovation Places, MetroHartford Alliance, reSET, startuo, startup scene, startups, TIP, UConn, University of Connecticut Technology Incubator Program, Upward Hartford
182 0

I’ve spent the last 10 years starting up businesses in the niche affordable housing industry. My focus was countrywide and required a lot of travel to clients and industry events. In fact, my clients were more likely to be in Texas, South Dakota, or North Carolina than in New England.

Connecticut entrepreneur and mentor David Sagers is Principal at Sagers & Associates.

What drew me and kept me in the industry was the mission of providing housing to low-income households, and the people drawn to that mission. And it was exciting trying to figure out what new products and services would help them accomplish their mission.

When it was time for a career change, though, I wanted to stay and work in my home state, Connecticut. Through friends and associates, and without intent, I found myself advising a couple of startups focused on solving social issues. I wasn’t familiar with the startup scene in the Hartford area, but I thought: Can I use what I’ve learned during my career to help local startups?

Hartford – a vibrant startup culture

Having grown up and lived my entire life in the Hartford area, I have always been amazed at the intelligence, business savvy, and spirit of many fellow Nutmeggers. So, it has been a pleasant surprise to see a vibrant startup culture and developing ecosystem in the Hartford area.

I’ve gotten to know the reSET community, particularly through the recent kickoff of their Impact Accelerator program (startups from other parts of the country are actually coming to Connecticut!). I’ve become familiar with the many services provided by CTNext, which is the advisory arm of Connecticut Innovations, and the exciting new development of the four Innovation Places in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Thames area. These are some of Connecticut’s organizations and initiatives helping startups gain access to a developing ecosystem of working spaces, mentors, advisors, researchers, and potential investors.

Connecticut encourages and supports startups

I’ve also attended events or made connections with members of the MetroHartford Alliance, Upward Hartford, BioCT (formerly CURE), Nerac Inc., the University of Connecticut Technology Incubator Program (TIP), and others. From each of these experiences, I have gained an understanding of just how many organizations in Connecticut are encouraging and supporting startups through the early stages of their businesses—and how many former and current entrepreneurs are volunteering their time to help others succeed. (Read: Entrepreneur at Heart Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Connecticut.)

I’ll never stop working within the affordable housing industry, because housing is such a critical factor in the lives of millions of low-income households. However, my current focus is on how, in my own small way, I can contribute to the growth of the Hartford economy. I believe the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Hartford is one key to the region’s economic growth, and I look forward to engaging and collaborating with the key members of this community.

About the Author
David Sagers is Principal at Sagers & Associates, which provides strategic planning, operational improvement, and technology strategy to drive its clients’ organizational transformation. David has built several technology services and products and led multiple technology-based businesses.

SBA Franchise Directory Helps Entrepreneurs Access Capital Startup Grind New Haven to Host May 3 Event

Related Posts

  • Region’s Mayors Welcome New Businesses

    September 16 2015, 0 comments
    More
    9820
  • Riverfront Innovation Fund

    January 09 2018, 0 comments
    More
    3061
  • Entrepreneurial Center Announces New Director

    October 18 2016, 0 comments
    More
    8490

Get Started


  Find Resources   Browse Startups   View Events   Book a Mentor

Get Engaged


Do you have a Hartford success story? Are you a budding startup or a successful entrepreneur eager to share your experiences? Contact us today and tell your story!

  Contact Us   Get Our Newsletter

Categories

  • Accelerators (1)
  • Accolades (7)
  • At the CT Table (29)
  • Awards (69)
  • Blog (63)
  • Books (28)
  • CT Legends (17)
  • CT Lifestyle (32)
  • Entrepreneurial Insights (70)
  • Events (4)
  • Featured (4)
  • Higher Education (38)
  • IDH Global (11)
  • Incubators (2)
  • Initiatives (97)
  • Innovation (57)
  • Meetups (2)
  • Mentors (2)
  • Programs (9)
  • Resources (8)
  • Social Impact Startups (6)
  • Startups (108)
  • Tech (1)
  • Uncategorized (4)
  • Women In Business (32)
Copyright © 2015-2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by Novus Insight, Inc.