Northwest Startup invites businesses to event

WINSTED — Northwest Startup, established through the Entrepreneurial Center of Northwest Connecticut, provides a support network to help connect and guide new businesses in all stages of their development, from idea conception to global impact.

The second Northwest Startup event is scheduled for June 25, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Little Red Barn Brewery, 32 Lake St., Winsted. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested at Eventbrite.com.

Northwest Startup brings together skilled business and industry mentors to provide support and feedback to help business owners and their startups reach their full potential. Event attendees hear startup owners pitch their business idea and present their current stage of development. Once the pitches are complete, each startup presenter has an opportunity to receive small group feedback from attendees. The format of the evening will be explained prior to the pitches and the public is welcome to participate.

“The business startup events and entrepreneurial programs offered by Northwestern Connecticut Community College are an immense help to people like myself who wish to make a career shift from the corporate world to starting and running your own business,” said Maryann Burns, owner of Care Patches, a startup, which offers senior life planning services. Burns presented her business idea at the first startup event in March and said she gained a good deal of advice and support from the mentors.

“Even though it may be something you really want to do — switching your career path and trajectory is a daunting task,” she said. “The Entrepreneurial Center and startup events lessen your anxiety as they are so supportive and have so many resources for you within, and outside, the college to tap into. It is a great thing they are doing to promote startup businesses in the northwest corner.”

John Fiorello, advisory board member of the Entrepreneurial Center of Northwest CT and founder of the startup company, RecordME.co, will once again moderate the event.

“The last Northwest Startup was a huge success,” said Fiorello. “Mentors were wildly impressed with the caliber of startups in the Northwest Corner — and the startups were grateful for the expert advice and mentorship they received.”

Fiorello said support for startups is a “pain point” for new businesses in the northwest corner. “Matching these young companies with mentors through this mentorship process is the solution to that pain,” he said. “If you're an early stage startup and you want help from the best mentors around, you need to check out Northwest Startup.”

Contributed photo Northwest Startup Inc. is holding an event at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, and invites people who are interested in starting their own businesses to attend.