News

Women Supporting Women Event

Panel will spotlight women of color business owners who each pivoted their company towards success during the pandemic

September 7, 2022

Hartford, CT, Sept 7, 2022 -- The University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center (EC) and Parkville Market have come together to shine the spotlight on women of the community. From retail therapy to entrepreneurial insight to instilling success in young girls, this event is all about empowered women. The EC will hold a panel, which is part of their Power & Progress Women's Business Symposium Series that focuses on women of color and how they have achieved success during our current economic environment.

What: Visit women-owned, pop-up shops and nonprofit organizations that will uplift and educate. Take that professional headshot you’ve been needing. Then at 6:30, we will feature a panel of innovative women of color business owners who each pivoted their company towards success during the pandemic. The event will be moderated by Leslie Mayes of NBC CT.

Where: Parkville Marketplace, 1400 Park St Hartford
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2022

4:30 PM to 8:00 PM: Visit women-owned, pop-up shops and nonprofit
organizations that will uplift and educate. Take that professional headshot you’ve been needing!

6:30PM to7:30pm: Women of Color in Business Panel Series “How I Turned Pandemic Challenge into Business Success” with Moderator: Leslie Mayes, News reporter & Anchor, NBC CT

Why: Adaptability is key to success in our ever-changing marketplace. The pandemic amplified this need as businesses had to rethink everything from sourcing supplies to finding creative ways to interact with customers. Join our panel of innovative women of color business owners who each pivoted their company towards success during the pandemic. We'll discuss how we can continue to apply this mindset to meet new challenges with resilience and courage.

University of Hartford's Women's Business Center receives prestigious Polaris Award

The organization was recognized for its innovative business panel series focused on the needs of entrepreneurial women of color.

November 4, 2021

The University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) was selected to receive this year’s Polaris Connections Award for its Women of Color Business Panel Series. The Polaris Awards are presented by Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH), and they honor exemplary leaders who serve as guiding lights in the greater Hartford region. These annual awards celebrate leaders who best embody LGH’s three pillars: Community, Leadership, and Connection. The awards were presented in a virtual ceremony on Thursday, October 28, 2021. 

The Women of Color Business Panel series came together over the summer of 2020. The WBC staff felt it was important to act in support of racial equity and justice, and Client Services Administrator Darchelle Hutchins proposed to expand the WBC existing panel programs with a new panel series that would allow women entrepreneurs of color to share their diverse perspectives about the path to business ownership. The planning team for the series included Hutchins along with Milena Erwin (WBC Program Manager), Elaine Thomas-Williams (Business Advisor), and Shelli McMillen (Marketing Manager). The first panel was presented in September 2020, and it featured an open and frank discussion of the biases encountered by black women as well as suggestions for motivation to keep participants moving forward. This series is now presented quarterly, and it endeavors to create community while moving all women in business toward their dreams. 

The Polaris Award recognized all four women from the Women’s Business Center as a team. 

“We are so honored that our Women of Color Business Panel Series is being recognized with a Polaris Award. 2020 was such a difficult year on so many fronts, and it seemed like women of color were being impacted negatively in multiple ways,” Erwin said. “Bringing people together, even virtually, kept the dialogue open and allowed them to provide each other with encouragement and support. We’re very proud of the results achieved so far.” 

To learn more about the University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center and the Women of Color Business Panel Series, visit their website at hartford.edu/wbc. 

About the University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center 

The University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) helps women from diverse backgrounds and cultures achieve economic prosperity by providing the guidance and resources they need to start and grow small businesses. From business planning and financing to marketing and government contracting, the WBC offers the support, resources, and connections to help Connecticut’s small business owners succeed in the new marketplace. It is the largest initiative offered by the Entrepreneurial Center and part of the nationally renowned Barney School of Business. Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, all services are offered remotely and are either free or low-cost with tuition assistance available. To learn more, visit hartford.edu/wbc.

The University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center and NBT Bank will present the “Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition” on Tuesday, December 15

All Connecticut-based women entrepreneurs are invited to apply to virtually pitch for a chance at a cash prize.

December 2020

Are you a Connecticut-based woman entrepreneur with an outstanding product or service? Could you use some extra money to build your business in 2021? Then you should apply to pitch in the upcoming “Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition” presented by the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center and proudly sponsored by NBT Bank. This is the EC-WBC’s second virtual pitch competition held during the pandemic, further expanding their efforts to support Connecticut’s small businesses and entrepreneurs during this challenging period.

The call for entries is now open, and all entries should be submitted online either by completing the online application (which can be accessed here) or via email. The application process simply requires a description of your business in 250 words or less, along with your name, business name, and town. Both active businesses and product or business ideas will be considered. If you choose to apply via email, submit this information to Milena Erwin, WBC Program Manager, at erwin@hartford.edu no later than 4:00pm on Tuesday, December 8. Please use “Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition Application” as your subject line.

Finalists will be selected from the applications, and those chosen will pitch in the Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition to be held virtually on Tuesday, December 15, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. You can register to view the competition at no charge.

“Our Center is so proud of the role we’ve played in supporting Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs throughout all the challenges 2020 brought to the market,” Erwin said. “We want to do everything we can to set them up for success next year, and we want to shine a spotlight on their amazing innovation, too.”

“NBT Bank is growing in Connecticut by investing in the state’s commercial vitality and so we are honored to sponsor this important program for women entrepreneurs, especially during this challenging time for us all,” added NBT Bank Connecticut Regional President Andreas Kapetanopoulos.

This competition is open to all Connecticut-based women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs. Pitches will be judged on originality, impact, and business viability, and a cash prize will be awarded.

About the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center: The University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center provides personalized business advising, educational programs, technical assistance, and networking events to new and expanding small businesses in Connecticut. The Center focuses on serving women, minority-owned businesses, and other underserved constituents. Part of the nationally renowned Barney School of Business, the Center specializes in turning ideas into viable businesses and break-even companies into sustainable, profitable, and scalable enterprises. For more information, visit www.hartford.edu/wbc.

About NBT Bank: NBT Bank offers personal banking, business banking, and wealth management services from locations in seven states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. The bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc., are headquartered in Norwich, NY. NBT Bancorp had assets of $10.8 billion as of September 30, 2020 and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol NBTB. More information about NBT is available online at www.nbtbank.com. Member FDIC.

CT Business Matchmaker will give a boost to small businesses as they recover from COVID-19 downturn

University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center presents this year’s event in a virtual format

September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated shutdown have meant lost sales and financial hardship for small businesses, and they have made face-to-face networking nearly impossible. The combination has left many of those businesses in a tenuous situation—unable to sell to current customers and unable to look for new ones. The University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center’s 11th Annual CT Business Matchmaker is designed to help address that problem. This year, the event will be held in a virtual format on Friday, October 2, from 8:00AM until 2:30PM.

CT Business Matchmaker pairs small, established businesses, contractors, and service providers with “Primes,” which are large and medium-sized companies, municipalities, agencies, and other hiring entities who are actively interested in growing and diversifying their supplier lists. Primes can expect to be connected with experienced small businesses who can fill a range of roles from skilled labor and products to operations consulting. It is an invaluable opportunity for companies to interview and vet contractors and expand their contracting relationships.

Helping to build opportunities for Connecticut’s small businesses is a driving priority for The Metropolitan District (MDC), one of the Prime attendees and this year’s Gold Sponsor. “Through the CT Business Matchmaker, we accomplish our goal of reaching out to new subcontractors and providing economic opportunities to local businesses,” said Michael Jefferson, MDC’s Diversity Manager.

CT Business Matchmaker 2020 will be an interactive, virtual experience. Attendees will be able to identify potential partnerships during a series of 10-minute, one-on-one video interviews that are designed to connect small businesses with companies and agencies that subcontract services and supplies. They will also have the opportunity to network with other small businesses by video or chat, either individually or by joining topic-specific conversations. Everything will be available online and can be accessed from the comfort and safety of your office.

“The Matchmaker program is a premier event offering significant new opportunities for Connecticut-based small businesses. Moving to an online format was a necessity this year, but we are committed to recreating the fast-paced Matchmaker environment that has worked so well for a decade,” said Milena Erwin, the Women’s Business Center Program Manager. “The current pandemic has impacted everyone, and disproportionately affected women- and minority-owned small businesses. In support of our Women’s Business Center mission, we continue to focus on providing them meaningful ways to make the connections they need to move forward and rebuild. We look forward to hosting another valuable Matchmaker event.”

This year's sponsors include Dimeo Construction Company, Key Bank, Connecticut Airport Authority, Stanley Black & Decker, and CMAA Connecticut Chapter. In addition to the Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center, organizing sponsors include the University of Hartford’s Construction Institute, CT Department of Administrative Services, CT Procurement Technical Assistance Center, CT Human Rights & Opportunities, CT Center for Advanced Technology, CT Secretary of State's Office, Disability in Connecticut, and US General Services Administration. The US Small Business Administration is an event partner.

To learn more, visit www.hartford.edu/matchmaker.

The University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center to host the virtual “Women Innovate Pitch Competition” on Tuesday, June 30

All Connecticut-based women entrepreneurs are invited to apply to pitch their innovative ideas for a chance at a cash prize.

June 2020

Are you a Connecticut-based woman entrepreneur with an innovative idea for a product or service? Is your innovation particularly suited to helping other businesses or the population at large during the COVID-19 crisis and in the rebuilding period to follow? Then you should apply to pitch your idea in the upcoming “Women Innovate Pitch Competition” sponsored by the University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center.

The call for entries is now open, and all entries should be submitted via email. Simply write a description of your idea in 250 words or less, and include your name, business name, and town in your submission. Email to Milena Erwin, WBC Program Manager, at erwin@hartford.edu no later than 4:00pm on Tuesday, June 23. Please use “Women Innovate Pitch Competition Application” as your subject line.

Both fully developed products and concepts in development will be considered. Submissions will be judged on creativity, impact, and business viability, and the event’s presenters will award a cash prize to the winner of the pitch competition.

Finalists will be selected from the emailed applications, and those chosen will pitch in the Women Innovate Pitch Competition to be held online on Tuesday, June 30, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. You can register to view the competition at this link. (This registration is for viewing the competition only. Interested participants must apply by email as instructed above.)

“Our Center is proud to support Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs, especially as they survive and rebuild from the current pandemic,” Erwin said. “Times of crisis often spur innovation and creative problem solving. We look forward to hearing and highlighting our local women innovators.”

This competition is open to all Connecticut-based women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs. It is presented by the University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration Connecticut District Office and Launc[H] Hartford.

Prudential Financial Helps Hartford Area’s Small Businesses through Support of Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center

Prudential funding supports the Center’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program, helping small businesses weather COVID-19.

May 2020

Small businesses are vital to the economy and they are getting hit hard by these turbulent times. Thanks to continued support from Prudential Financial, the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center is providing resources to help local small businesses survive and rebuild.

Through its Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP), the Center offers business advising and targeted technical assistance to eligible small businesses in the Greater Hartford area. In tough times like these, assistance for small business is becoming more vital than ever. “Women- and minority-owned small businesses are bearing the brunt of this crisis. We are getting more calls from small business owners struggling to keep their companies afloat and innovating to survive. The SBTAP program is essential to our ability to assist them,” explains Milena Erwin, the Women’s Business Center Program Manager.

Many companies are looking for opportunities to move their services online. Licensed clinical social worker Latoya Watson opened her practice, Evolve Behavioral Health, almost 6 years ago. While successful and skilled in her field, she sought guidance regarding the business aspects of her company and was thrilled when she found the Center’s extensive list of affordable services in 2019. Through SBTAP, she has developed a business plan, clarified long-term goals, and built her confidence to execute her plans.

Until recently, Evolve Behavioral Health operated out of a brick and mortar location, but is now permanently shifting online to offer telehealth sessions. Latoya had made the decision to move into telehealth prior to the current crisis, and was planning on doing it later in 2020. She has acted swiftly to make the move immediate so that her clients do not experience any gaps in treatment, especially during these anxiety-provoking times. The Center has been a big help to her throughout this difficult transition. "Everyone I have spoken with at the Center has made me feel very comfortable, encouraged me, and challenged me to keep moving forward despite my 'imposter syndrome' moments."

Funding from Prudential will be vital to helping countless local small businesses like Watson’s survive and even thrive in this new COVID-19 economy. Since 2010, Prudential has supported the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center. “Training and resources provided by programs like these are essential to putting more Americans on track for sustainable financial wellness”, said Daryl Shore, vice president of Inclusive Communities with Prudential, “Now more than ever, creating pathways to economic growth for underserved communities is essential.”

Through the Prudential-funded Small Business Technical Assistance Program, qualifying small business owners benefit from one-on-one time with business advisors and technical experts. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all plan for program participants. A full assessment is conducted, goals are set, a commitment contract is signed, and entrepreneurs get a customized blueprint to establish and move their company ahead. Professional assistance covers a broad range of topics, including marketing strategy, website improvement, business plan development, financial management, legal issues, operations, hiring, and contracts.

Free Program Benefits Hartford’s Small Businesses

Entrepreneurial Center Receives Grant to Help Businesses Prosper

July 2019

One of the best deals for Hartford small businesses just expanded and is accepting new applicants. The University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center (EC-WBC) received an award to support the Hartford Small Business Technical Assistance Program (HSBTAP). HSBTAP provides free support to local businesses to increase sales and become more stable and prosperous.

Shelli McMillen, the HSBTAP Manager, said, “This is a small but mighty program that has a high impact on the local community. In the past three years, we have helped 73 small businesses to create 46 jobs, increase their profits by 57%, and access $1.5M in capital. With the expanded funding this year, we have new spaces available and are looking forward to working with more small businesses.”

The program has been funded since 2011 by the City of Hartford through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These businesses receive free technical assistance to develop marketing campaigns, including social media and websites, develop business plans, learn financial management skills and tools, and more. The objective is to help businesses grow, earn more profits, and create jobs for the local community. CDBG requires that eligible businesses market their products or services, in part, to low-to-moderate income residents in Hartford.

To apply, call the EC-WBC at 860.768.5681. More information is available at hartford.edu/hartford-small-business.

Prudential Foundation Awards Entrepreneurial Center Renewed $75,000 Grant

June 2019

The University of Hartford is pleased to announce that the Prudential Foundation has awarded the Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center a renewed grant of $75,000. Connecticut small business owners in the startup and expansion phases will benefit as the award will be used to continue supporting the Small Business Technical Assistance Training Program (SBTAP), which provides training, business advising, and technical assistance to small businesses.

The Center’s successful track record has secured the continued support of the Prudential Foundation. During the program year running November 2015 – October 2016, the Center invested almost 1000 hours in one-on-one business advising through SBTAP, assisting 71 clients to either startup or expand their businesses. These clients launched 7 businesses, created 51 jobs, increased combined revenues by over $1M, accessed capital of just under $1M, and completed business goals ranging from developing marketing strategy and sales campaigns to training in cash flow and employee management.

“We are grateful for Prudential’s endorsement of our work to support these microenterprises,” said Fred Wergeles, Entrepreneurial Center Director, “It is gratifying to provide these B2B services for local entrepreneurs as we assist in their startups and expansions. The Center helps small businesses create business and marketing plans, gain access to capital for expansion, increase revenues, and create jobs. This is truly a ‘locals supporting locals’ effort.”

Through Center programming, a team of experienced staff, local small business experts, and resource partners provide entrepreneurs with a number of services including:

• Training for business and professional growth
• One-on-one business advising
• Women’s Business Center, including the Women’s Business Roundtable, Power & Progress Business Women’s Symposium, and other women-focused events and services
• Individualized technical assistance for business plan development, financing, hiring, contracts, marketing, government contracting, tax planning and more
• Comprehensive business planning courses
• Connections to small business resources

University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center will host tenth annual CT Business Matchmaker

April 2019

In order to thrive, small businesses must find opportunities to sell their products and services to larger ones. At the same time, big companies are under pressure to find skilled, dependable contractors to help complete projects efficiently. What they need is a good matchmaker! CT Business Matchmaker is among the state’s largest events designed to pair small, established businesses with prime contractors, government agencies, and municipalities that are actively interested in increasing and diversifying supplier lists. The event is coming to the campus of the University of Hartford in June, and registration is now open.

The CT Business Matchmaker, an annual event since 2010, is an ideal venue for businesses that need to expand their contracting and subcontracting opportunities. At the event, small businesses meet with Primes (including medium to large companies, state and federal government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and others that subcontract services and/or supplies) to present their products and services in a series of ten-minute one-on-one interviews. This proven process allows Primes and Small Businesses to quickly identify valuable, potential partnerships.

The event is open to all industries. This year, organizers are focusing on increasing participation from women-owned and minority-owned small businesses. Additionally, with the event's emphasis on the manufacturing and construction sectors, Primes can expect to connect with experienced contractors who can fill a range of roles from skilled labor to operations consulting. CT Business Matchmaker is organized and managed by the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center (EC-WBC) and partners.

Dimeo Construction Company has found CT Business Matchmaker to be a valued asset. "Our participation has led to new and meaningful partnerships, with the turnout growing larger every year. We recommend it highly,” said Dimeo's Dan O'Connell.

"This event is unique. We have not attended another that is so intentionally organized to benefit small businesses directly," said Ellen Feldman-Ornato of The Bolder Company.

CT Business Matchmaker 2019 will be held from 7:00 am until 2:30 pm on Thursday, June 13, on the main campus of the University of Hartford. Prime registration is now open. As space is limited, companies need to confirm their participation as soon as possible. There is no charge for Primes to participate. Registration for Small Businesses will open April 24.

“For ten years, the Matchmaker event has brought together large and small businesses in a fast-paced and productive way. This year’s focus on women-owned and minority-owned firms adds to the diversity of the talent available to grow Connecticut’s economy, especially in the manufacturing and construction industries,” said Fred Wergeles, Director of the EC-WBC.

Milena Erwin, Program Manager of the WBC, stated, “Women and minority-owned businesses continue to make progress in obtaining large government and private contracts. Through our Women’s Business Center, we focus on attracting more of these businesses to the event and preparing them with targeted training and assistance. Primes at the event also benefit from reaching a more diverse small supplier base.”

To register or learn more, visit www.hartford.edu/matchmaker.

Gold Sponsors of CT Business Matchmaker 2019 are The Metropolitan District (MDC) and CT Next. Bronze sponsors include The Hartford, Enfield Enterprises Inc., Dimeo Construction, CT Airport Authority, and Webster Bank.

In addition to the EC-WBC, the organizers include CT Department of Administrative Services, CT Human Rights and Opportunities, Disability in Connecticut, CT Center for Advanced Technology, CT Procurement Technical Assistance Center, CT Secretary of State’s Office, Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, University of Hartford’s Construction Institute, US General Services Administration, and US Small Business Administration.

Entrepreneurial Center and Construction Institute Win CT Entrepreneur Awards

April 2018

The 2018 CT Entrepreneur Awards were announced at a ceremony on Friday, April 20, during which the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center (EC-WBC) and the Construction Institute were honored. The awards identify, recognize, and celebrate Connecticut’s leading entrepreneurs, ventures, and ecosystem elements that support them.

The EC-WBC received the Community Favorite Funding Award. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Milena Erwin, Program Manager of the WBC, as Community Builder of the Year, and to the Center’s annual event, CT Business Matchmaker, for Community Favorite Event. The EC-WBC is honored to have received the recognition of the small business community as a source for developing successful loan and grant packages. Last year, over $1M in capital was accessed by clients. Congratulations to Milena Erwin for her well-deserved Honorable Mention; she has been a valuable guide for many small businesses and has built a strong women’s business program at the Center. Congratulations also to the EC-WBC staff and organizing partners who have made the CT Business Matchmaker, now in its 9th year, such an impactful program. The next event will happen on June 14; learn more at Hartford.edu/matchmaker.

The Construction Institute is proud to have won the Community Favorite Event Award for The Women Who Build Summit. The Institute would like to thank its program task force members for creating and building such a meaningful program: Carolina Cudemus, Gilbane Building Company; Kathy Cowles, id3a; Marie Maia, Montagno Construction Company; Seaneen Thorpe, Centerbrook Architects; Milena Erwin, Women's Business Center, University of Hartford, Veronica Cook, University of Connecticut, and Annie McEvoy, New England Real Estate Journal. The Institute would also like to thank the incredible panelists and generous sponsors who contributed so much to the program. To see the complete listing of speakers, panels, and sponsors of this year's award-winning event, click HERE. To read about the inspiring opening keynote by Melody Currey, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, click HERE.

About the Awards
The CT Entrepreneur Awards featured both judged and community-favorite categories. Nominations began in January 2018 and then 14 expert judges from 13 states evaluated the finalists to identify winners in seven categories. A 30-day community-voting period during February and March 2018 yielded 8,709 unique votes for the 220 finalists in 14 categories. More than 60 Connecticut cities and towns were represented by the finalists.

The Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, hosted by the University of Hartford's Women's Business Center and NBT Bank, coming on Tuesday, December 14

All Connecticut-based women entrepreneurs are invited to apply to pitch online for a chance at a cash prize.

November 25, 2021

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut – November 25, 2021 – Connecticut-based woman entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a chance to pitch their innovative products and services at the next “Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.” All Connecticut for-profit businesses owned by women are eligible to participate, and both developed products and ideas in development will be accepted.

The call for entries is now open, and all entries should be submitted online by completing the application (which can be accessed here). The application process simply requires a description of the business or idea and its community impact, along with the entrepreneur’s name, business name, and town. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, December 7.

Finalists will be selected from the applications, and those finalists will pitch in the Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition to be held virtually on Tuesday, December 14, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. You can register to view the competition at no charge at this link. (This registration is for viewing the competition only. Interested participants must apply as instructed above.)

“Entrepreneurs continue to face challenges related to pandemic survival and recovery,” said Milena Erwin, WBC Program Manager and moderator of the upcoming competition. “At the Women’s Business Center, we are excited to provide this opportunity to reward and spotlight innovative ideas from women entrepreneurs in Connecticut.”

“NBT is continuing to invest in CT and we are proud to partner with the University of Hartford’s Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center to support this important program for women entrepreneurs in CT,” added NBT Bank Connecticut Regional President Andreas Kapetanopoulos.

This competition is open to all Connecticut-based women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs. Pitches will be judged on originality, impact, and business viability, and cash prizes will be awarded.

About the University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center

The University of Hartford’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) helps women from diverse backgrounds and cultures achieve economic prosperity by providing the guidance and resources they need to start and grow small businesses. From business planning and financing to marketing and government contracting, the WBC offers the support, resources, and connections to help Connecticut’s small business owners succeed in the new marketplace. It is the largest initiative offered by the Entrepreneurial Center and part of the nationally renowned Barney School of

Business. Funded in part by the US Small Business Administration, all services are offered remotely and are either free or low-cost with tuition assistance available. To learn more, visit hartford.edu/wbc.

About NBT Bank

NBT Bank offers personal banking, business banking, and wealth management services from locations in seven states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. The bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc., are headquartered in Norwich, NY. NBT Bancorp had assets of $10.8 billion as of September 30, 2020 and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol NBTB. More information about NBT is available online at www.nbtbank.com. Member FDIC