Winners to be selected live at the inaugural Catalyst Symposium on September 30 at Trinity College
HARTFORD — The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) today announced eight finalists who will pitch live for one of four $25,000 Accelerate Grants at the inaugural WBDC Catalyst Symposium on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Trinity College in Hartford. The half-day event features networking, workshops, a WBDC Marketplace, and the $100,000 Accelerate Pitch Competition.
The 2025 event is the first in a planned annual series. The Catalyst Symposium focuses on connection, inspiration, and action, equipping women entrepreneurs with tools, strategies, insight, and inspiration to launch, grow, and sustain thriving small businesses. Attendees will start the morning by networking and going to the WBDC Marketplace, which features products and ideas from Connecticut women-owned businesses. They will then move into targeted breakout sessions, followed by the Accelerate Pitch Competition.
The Eight Finalists Include:
Cailin McBee
Balance Massage & Wellness Center, Newington
Ali Lazowski
Bare Life, West Hartford
Monica Beaudoin & Alexandra Pilon
Bloom Bake Shop, Hartford
Dr. Mahri Wrightington
PD Monster, Quaker Hill
Sadie Marshall
Sadie’s Professional Cleaning Services, Hamden
Tammy Gerhard & Sarah May
Silk City Coffee, Manchester
Dr. Amanda Swan
Swan Integrative Health and Wellness, Glastonbury
Priscilla Igram & Christine Orlando
The Studio Fairfield, Fairfield
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Trinity College, Hartford
Program Highlights
Networking & WBDC Marketplace – Meet peers, make connections, and explore and purchase products from Connecticut women-owned businesses.
“Where Are They Now?” — Past Accelerate Grant recipients share growth stories and lessons learned.
Business Workshop Breakout Sessions:
- Pitch Yourself Like a Pro: Unlock Your Business Story
- So, You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?
- Ready, Set, Funded: Tips for Landing a Business Loan or Grant
- Goal Setting for Growth: Reignite Purpose, Refocus Vision
- Are You Paying Yourself? Why It Matters
- Taking Your Business to the Next Level
Advance registration is required. Tickets are available via WBDC’s event page.
About the Women’s Business Development Council
The Women’s Business Development Council’s (WBDC) mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. WBDC educates, motivates, and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Since 1997, WBDC has educated and trained over 21,700 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns—helping women to launch, sustain, and scale over 16,250 businesses, create and maintain more than 40,350 jobs in Connecticut, and access over $86 million in capital. Since 2020, WBDC has provided more than $19 million in grants to help fuel growth in small businesses throughout Connecticut. Visit ctwbdc.org for more information.
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