Location: Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT

Date & Time: 9/22/2026 8:30am - 1:00pm

Fee: $ 75.00

A high-impact half-day event designed to sparkmeaningful connections, deliver expert-led business education, and spotlight rising small business leaders.Entrepreneurs will walk away with new connections, valuable insights, and inspiration to take their business to the next level​.Featuring our Accelerate Pitch Competition where WBDC clients compete to win $25,000 in grants. This event is registration only. Standard Fee - $75* *If you purchase additional tickets, please let us know the names of your guest, email Kenyetta Banks at kbanks@ctwbdc.org. Fuel your day with a complimentary continental breakfast and boxed lunch, included with your registration.

Location: Spruce Coffee 952 State Street, New Haven, CT

Date & Time: 9/24/2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join WBDC to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and WBDC team members! We’ll provide light snacks and coffee - additional food and specialty drinks will be available for purchase. Meet us at Spruce Coffee,952 State St, New Haven. Join us to connect in person and share ideas and inspiration with fellow community members.

Location: Work_Space 903 Main Street Manchester, CT 06040 United States, Manchester, CT

Date & Time: 9/29/2026 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Build Your Business. Discover Funding. Expand Your Network. Start your morning with coffee, connections, and conversations designed to help women entrepreneurs move their businesses forward. Join the Town of Manchester and the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) for a free, energizing morning created for women who are launching, growing, or looking to take their business to the next level. Connect with WBDC business advisors and other local women entrepreneurs while learning about the resources available to help you succeed, including: A brief info session about our free business and entrepreneurship educational resources Learn more about our funding opportunities and grants of up to $10,000 per qualified Business Business Advisor Krista Rizzo will teach a holiday focused sales class called Sleigh Your Sales: It will cover : Data:Holiday sales stats & what planning is worth in dollars Client Retention: How the season shapes loyalty — and what you risk losing The Calendar: Week-by-week promotion timeline: Sep through Jan Tools: The lean 12-tool stack to execute your strategy Strategy Tips: 10 moves that separate seasonal winners from reactors Whether you're just getting started, looking for funding, or grow your sales, come prepared to connect, ask questions, and leave with new ideas and resources to help you take your next step. ☕ Continental breakfast and coffee included💰 FREE to attend🤝 Networking with local women entrepreneurs Monday, September 28 | 8:30–10:00 AMDoors Open: 8:00 AM

Location: Ferguson Library 1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT

Date & Time: 10/3/2026 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Running a child care business means wearing many hats, but you don't have to do it alone. Join WBDC and CTAEYC networking session designed to bring Connecticut's family child care providers together. Meet the teams behind WBDC and CTAEYC, explore the resources, business support, professional development, and technical assistance available to you, and connect with fellow providers who understand the journey you're on. Whether you're looking to strengthen your program, ask questions, or simply see what support is out there, this is your chance to build relationships that can help your business — and our family child care community — thrive.

Location: Coals Pizza, 9 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT

Date & Time: 10/13/2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join the Women's Business Development Council, the Greater Norwalk Chamber, and the City of Norwalk to meet and mingle with business professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Cash bar and light appetizers will be provided. Meet us at Coals in Norwalk for delicious food and the opportunity to connect in person and share ideas and inspiration with fellow community members. Parking is located across the street in the Main Street Lot.

Location: 3-21 No Kiddin 160 Church St, Naugatuck, CT

Date & Time: 11/17/2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Looking to expand your network while enjoying a fun, relaxed atmosphere? Join us for Sip & Chat at 3-21 No Kiddin, a non-alcoholic shop in Naugatuck hosted by owner BobbieMalatesta. This casual networking event brings together entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring business owners for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and community. Enjoy a delicious non-alcoholic beverage while meeting new people, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and discovering opportunities to collaborate. Whether you're looking to grow your business, make new connections, find potential partners, or simply get out and meet other local entrepreneurs, Sip & Chat is the perfect place to do it. Bring another small business owner who doesn't know about WBDC! Come for the sip. Stay for the connections. Leave inspired!

Location: Tox Brewing Company, 123 Bank Street, New London, CT

Date & Time: 11/19/2026 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Join WBDC to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and WBDC team members bright and early! We’ll provide light snacks and coffee - additional food and specialty drinks will be available for purchase. Meet us on Bank Street at Tox Brewing Company for coffee and pastries and the opportunity to connect in person and share ideas and inspiration with fellow community members.

Location: 190 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT

Date & Time: 12/8/2026 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Join WBDC for an opportunity to meet and mingle with the WBDC community of CT based small business owners and the WBDC team! We'll provide light snacks, drinks and provide ample opportunity to connect in personand share ideas with fellow entrepreneurs.