The Stanley + Techstars Accelerator will host its second Demo Day on Monday, October 7 from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center. The event marks the culmination of an intensive, three-month program that helps company founders accelerate their businesses through investment, resources, and mentorship.
Demo Day is designed to engage the entire Hartford community—from students to industry experts, showcasing 10 innovative companies that have the potential to grow substantially in Connecticut. Of last year’s Stanley + Techstars Accelerator class, four companies have remained in Hartford, continuing to grow and raise funds.
Governor Ned Lamont, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and Stanley Black & Decker CEO Jim Loree will deliver remarks at the event.
This year, the Accelerator emphasized working with companies focused on developing solutions for sustainable packaging and additive manufacturing. In 2018, Stanley Black & Decker signed a pledge with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation committing to combat plastic pollution.
For this round of investments, the Accelerator received applications from more than 30 countries and accepted those from Spain, Germany, India, Texas, New York, Boston, and California. This year, half of the companies accepted into the Accelerator have a female founder, which is a substantially greater level than the industry average, in which approximately 3% of funding is typically awarded to female-led companies.