Connecticut Small Business Development Center

10/30/2026

From pitch competitions in New Haven to lending expos in Mystic, CTSBDC has a lot going on in November. 🍂 Visit CTSBDC's website to see our calendar and save a spot at an event that will help on your small business journey.

Explore🔗https://ctsbdc.uconn.edu/news-and-events/

10/29/2026

Connect directly with major buyers, build valuable relationships, and create new opportunities for your business at the 10th Annual CT Supplier Connection Growth Summit & MatchMaker.
This FREE, virtual event brings together 17 large buying organizations and 25+ buyers for one-on-one matchmaker meetings.

Buyers are especially interested in injection molding, extrusion, metal fabrication (CNC machining and stamping), electronics and electronics assembly, and all construction trades.

🔗https://www.eventdex.com/CTSupplierConnect2026/registration.php

10/28/2026

Bring your big business ideas to Mystic ⚓and meet with the lenders who can help turn your ideas into reality.

Save your spot at the Business Lending Expo.
🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-lending-expo-tickets-2000279708454?aff=CTSBDFB

Presented by Connecticut Small Business Development Center and U.S. Small Business Administration Connecticut District Office, the Business Lending Expo brings lenders and small business owners together to turn funding needs into productive conversations.

Whether you're building something new or expanding your services, come meet with SBA lenders, CTSBDC advisors, SBA staff, and community partners including Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce - Norwich, CT and the The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

10/27/2026

¿Necesitas financiamiento para tu negocio? Este taller te ayudará a entender cómo piensan los prestamistas, qué documentos y perfiles se evalúan, y cómo prepararte para tener más oportunidades de obtener un préstamo, crédito o incluso una subvención. Aprenderás la importancia de identificar cuánto capital necesitas realmente, para qué lo vas a usar y cómo presentar tu caso con claridad y confianza.

Registrate 🔗

¿Necesitas financiamiento para tu negocio? Este taller te ayudará a entender cómo piensan los prestamistas, qué documentos y perfiles se evalúan, y cómo prepararte para tener más oportunidades de obtener un préstamo, crédito o incluso una subvención. Aprenderás la importancia de identific...

10/26/2026

Experience Connecticut's AI innovation in action! Join CTSBDC at Southern Connecticut State University to watch the finalists for our pitch competition vie for the top prize.

Whether you're a business owner, student, entrepreneur, investor, technology professional, or simply curious about how AI is transforming industries, this event offers an opportunity to hear firsthand how Connecticut businesses are putting emerging technologies to work.

Space is limited. Save your spot.
🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ctsbdcs-ai-pitch-competition-tickets-2003430403267?aff=FB

10/23/2026

Have you received an email with subject line “RE: Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State, Business Services Division.”? Stop scrolling!

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is warning all Connecticut businesses to avoid a malicious email currently circulating that claims to be from the Office of the Secretary of the State’s Business Services Division. The subject line is: “RE: Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State, Business Services Division.”

Businesses should not respond to the email or open its attachments.

The email claims that a secure document has been shared with the recipient. It instructs users to download an attached file and enter a provided access code to unlock the document through a purported “DocuSafe Secure Portal.”

This type of phishing attack can trick users into revealing sensitive information to cybercriminals, including login credentials, or expose their devices to malware.

“Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated, and it’s critical that businesses stay alert,” Secretary Thomas said. “If something feels off, trust your instincts and verify before you click.”

Read the full advisory 🔗
https://ctsbdc.uconn.edu/business_tips/secretary-thomas-warns-businesses-of-phishing-email-impersonating-state-business-services-division/

10/23/2026

Need support to guide you and your business to the next stage of success? Good news. There's still time to save your spot in the Fall cohort of CTSBDC's Business Growth Accelerator Program.

Find out how BGAP can help, and save your seat.
🔗https://ctsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/75341161

As a small business owner, every day feels like a challenge. You’re working longer hours… managing cash flow… chasing new customers… but no matter how hard you push forward, you feel… stuck. That’s where the Business Growth Accelerator Program (BGAP) comes in! BGAP is designed to give bu...

10/22/2026

On October 22, 2026, Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) and the UConn School of Business welcomed Senator Richard Blumenthal to the CTSBDC offices in East Hartford. The visit highlighted an announcement of $885,000 in congressionally directed funding aimed at preparing Connecticut's small businesses for the digital age through the Digital Frontiers Initiative.

“There is no reason that a small business person should have less access to the training that is needed…This grant of $885,000 will enable training of 15 technical and skilled professionals to go out into Connecticut and provide the resources for small business to come into the digital age,” said Senator Blumenthal.

Small and micro businesses face an ongoing struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advances and shifting consumer expectations, all while focusing on daily operations to keep their doors open. The Digital Frontiers Initiative aims to help business owners keep up by investing in comprehensive training and supportive resources for CTSBDC business advisors.

In 2025, CTSBDC served more than 2,800 small businesses across Connecticut. Moving forward, they will be able to share modern digital strategies and materials with the thousands of clients CTSBDC serves annually – enabling small businesses to adopt efficient, customer-focused operations that boost revenue and overall profitability.

Bob Day, Interim Dean of the UConn School of Business, said “What you get with the kind of partnership we’re developing here today is the cutting edge of AI and technology.” He stressed that as AI and other technology changes, CTSBDC’s frontline advisors will have the resources of the UConn School of Business behind them to stay on the cutting edge.

UConn’s Digital Frontiers Initiative will manage the effort, hiring specialized faculty and consultants to train advisors and support clients across five core areas of digitization:

• Digital Market Access
• Digitizing Operations
• Digital Financing
• Online Engagement
• Digital Skill Building

David Bergman, Associate Dean of UConn School of Business and Special Advisor to the Provost on AI, said “Connecticut can be and will be the role model for how we upskill our workforce…We have a small and very educated state. And I think through this grant we’re able to upskill small businesses on the necessary technology that will allow them to thrive in the age of AI.”

“We are deeply grateful for this funding and for the confidence it represents in Connecticut’s small business community,” said Dorian Zwierewicz, CTSBDC State Director. “Technology continues to reshape how businesses operate, reach customers, and compete. This investment will help ensure that small business owners have access to timely guidance and practical tools so they can keep pace with change and build stronger, more resilient companies.”

10/22/2026

💰 ¿Sabes cuánto gana tu negocio y qué necesitas para dar el próximo paso?

¡Emprendedores de Bridgeport! CTSBDC y CEDF te invitan a la Ruta de Preparación Financiera del Emprendedor: tres talleres gratuitos, presenciales y en español para aprender a:

✅ Entender tus ingresos, gastos y ganancias.
✅ Manejar tu flujo de caja y crear proyecciones.
✅ Preparar tu negocio para solicitar financiamiento.

📅 2, 9 y 16 de noviembre | 11 a. m.–1 p. m.
📍 Bridgeport Regional Business Council
10 Middle Street, piso 14, Bridgeport

🎓 Completa los tres talleres y recibe un certificado digital de participación.

¡Dale una base financiera sólida al negocio que tanto te esfuerzas por construir!

👉 Inscríbete aquí https://ctsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/75341169

Serie de tres talleres en español : Ruta de Preparación Financiera del Emprendedor Esta serie de tres talleres está diseñada como una ruta de preparación financiera para emprendedores, que guiará a los participantes paso a paso desde la comprensión y el manejo de las finanzas de su negocio ha...

10/21/2026

During America’s SBDC’s 47th Annual Training Event in Atlanta, Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) and Chile’s Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to strengthen support for small businesses and entrepreneurs across both countries. The agreement was signed by SERCOTEC’s General Manager Henry Patricio Azurmendi Toledo, Dean of the UConn School of Business Robert Day, and CTSBDC’s State Director Dorian Zwierewicz.

Effective October 2, 2026, the three-year agreement also includes the UConn School of Business. It establishes a framework for the organizations to share expertise, pursue joint training and research, and strengthen cooperation between CTSBDC and Sercotec Chile's nationwide network of business development centers.

“Chile is an important trade partner for the United States and Connecticut businesses. In 2025 alone, the U.S. exported more than $19 billion worth of goods to Chile. We’re excited to work with SERCOTEC and strengthen the relationship between our organizations to help businesses on both ends of the agreement find new opportunities,” says CTSBDC’s Zwierewicz.

The effort has been spearheaded on CTSBDC’s end by business advisors Nelson Merchan and Denise Whitford. The main points of collaboration are:

🟠Strengthen services and resources available to small businesses through SERCOTEC Business Centers in Chile.
🟠Plan joint research, education, and training.
🟠Identify and pursue funding opportunities that can support joint initiatives.
🟠Exchange knowledge, proven practices, and resources to strengthen services for entrepreneurs.

Picture 1: SERCOTEC’s General Manager Henry Patricio Azurmendi Toledo, President/CEO of America's SBDC T. Rowe, and CTSBDC’s State Director Dorian Zwierewicz.