Calling all entrepreneurs! If you’re building a business and have a bold idea that can spark growth, apply to Ledge Light Launch’s first ever pitch competition sponsored by seCTer.
Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at TOX Brewing Co. in New London, CT, for an exciting Pitch Competition designed to spotlight the region’s most promising businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or already making waves, we want to hear your vision. The winner will receive $7,500, one year membership to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, as well as, other prizes to be announced.
What’s the Opportunity?
The top six applicants will be invited to take the stage and pitch their business idea in front of a live audience and expert panel. Each finalist will have six minutes to present a project that clearly demonstrates how it will drive growth for their business. Think new products, expansions, marketing campaigns, tech upgrades—anything that helps take your venture to the next level.
This is more than a competition. It’s a platform to gain visibility, connect with local leaders, and get feedback that could shape your next big move.
How to Apply
Applications are open now and will be accepted until June 16, 2025. Businesses of all stages and sizes are encouraged to apply—from idea-stage startups to seasoned operations.
Be sure your pitch aligns with the scoring rubric to maximize your chances of being selected!
Have questions? Reach out to kferrero@secter.org for more info.
Tips for a Great Pitch
- Keep your slide deck tight—aim for around six minutes.
- Focus on the impact your project will have.
- Tell a compelling story—what problem are you solving, and why now?
- Practice with someone who’ll give you honest feedback.
Judges
Catherine Young
As Airport Manager for nearly 18 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation at Groton-New London Airport, Catherine Young was then appointed the first Business Developer for the Connecticut Airport Authority’s five General Aviation (GA) airports. Catherine retired from state service in 2022.
The National Academies of Sciences, Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), which is sponsored by the FAA, appointed Young as ACRP New England Region Ambassador in 2023. She also participates on ACRP project panels to provide overall counsel and technical guidance.
Catherine is a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, the New England Air Museum BOD and the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region BOD. While a corporator for Chelsea Groton Bank, she also serves on the bank foundation board.
From 2013–2020, she volunteered on the Town of Groton Economic Development Commission and was elected to Chair the Commission for its one year rotation.
Ms. Young earned her BA from Connecticut College, and MS with Phi Kappa Phi Honors from the University of Bridgeport. She grew up in Uniondale on Long Island in New York.
Kevin Zhang
Kevin Zhang’s dynamic background in sales, marketing, and business management has shaped a 20+ year career focused on honing his expertise and delivering measurable, impactful results. He currently serves as Community Manager for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, where he manages the daily operations of the Chamber’s Regional Innovation Center and its flagship program, the Entrepreneur Academy. He also works closely with the City of New London to support economic development efforts that drive growth and innovation in the region.
Kevin’s diverse experience includes managing the operations of a Rhode Island-based law firm, leading marketing campaigns for a Germany-based metrology technology company, and authoring a guidebook on model building while running international marketing efforts as an entrepreneur. Earlier in his career, he also managed a substantial client portfolio at Mohegan Sun Casino as a Relationship Marketing Executive. His expertise spans business development, digital marketing, and strategic relationship management.
Tom Gerson
Tom Gerson has over forty years of corporate finance, business strategy, and operations experience both with large, global firms such as Celanese, Allied-Signal, Sterling Drug, and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals earlier in his career, and subsequently as CFO & VP of Business Operations of two Connecticut-based privately-held, venture capital-backed emerging life sciences companies spun out of Yale University and then a diagnostics company with commercial operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He has raised over $100MM of Venture Capital / Strategic Partner Funding across these three life science start-ups. More recently Tom was a Startup Advisor with the State of Connecticut’s CTNext economic development program as well as serving as an EIR with UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP). In these roles Tom worked with upwards of 100 clients in advising and supporting such early-stage life science, technology-based companies, often with a focus on their fund-raising initiatives.
Tom currently serves as a Board Member of TECHCONN, a not-for profit organization which assists, and provides seed investments for both science and technology startups in Connecticut.
Wendy Vincent
Wendy Vincent is the Executive Director of the Cultural Coalition, bringing a broad background in entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, communications, and nonprofit leadership. A published author, editor, and owner of both a publishing company and an independent bookstore in New London, she is deeply rooted in the region’s creative economy.
Previously, she served as the Eastern Connecticut Program Director for the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), where she managed educational and grant programs supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. She has also held roles in corporate marketing, business development, and product management.
Wendy holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Hartford and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Albertus Magnus, with ongoing MPhil studies in Humanities and Writing at Wesleyan University. Passionate about supporting creative and small businesses and advocating for the arts, she also enjoys reading, gardening, herbalism, travel, and collecting art.
Maria Hanna
President / CEO Survival Systems USA
🗓️ Deadline to apply: June 16, 2025
📍 Pitch Night: June 26, 2025 @ TOX Brewery, New London, CT
📬 Questions? Contact: kferrero@secter.org
Today, Governor Lamont announced the launch of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative with assistance from seCTer. Read the press release here.
The creation of the Wind Collaborative was first announced last October as part of Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Strategic Roadmap, which calls for the new nonprofit to work collaboratively with business, industry, academia, across state agencies and alongside stakeholders in neighboring states to advance the regional supply chain and workforce necessary to meet the growing demand for this green, sustainable, domestic energy supply.
Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) is seeking proposals for a marketing and strategy blueprint / prospectus to encourage investment in southeastern Connecticut using existing programs such as, but not limited to, Opportunity Zones, Enterprise Zones, and New Market Tax Credits. This project will promote and achieve greater regional competitiveness and economic resilience.
seCTer is bringing the two leading healthcare providers in the state and 28 other regional health agencies together to address common challenges and develop strategies to strengthen the industry as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Eastern Connecticut Healthcare Regional Sector Partnership got underway at the start of the year when more than 30 healthcare executives participated in the inaugural meeting at Backus Hospital in January. The initial mission was to identify critical priorities affecting all members and begin to formulate strategies to grow the healthcare sector.
Partnership members agreed on the following priorities to improve care for the communities they serve:
- Attracting more people to healthcare careers
- Improving the quality, quantity, and accessibility of training programs
- Improving the quality of life for employees
- Using the collective voice of the partnership to promote policies that benefit patients
- Addressing the costs of labor and services provided
This Regional Sector Partnership is part of an industry-led collaborative established by The Governor’s Workforce Council to align stakeholders in key industries throughout Connecticut. The Regional Sector Partnership is set to receive additional funding from a recently announced federal grant award received by Connecticut’s Office of Workforce Strategy.
Spanning the continuum of care, this effort is led by industry, with co-chairs including Donna Handley, Senior Vice President and President East Region of Hartford HealthCare; Patrick Greene, President and CEO of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; and Lisa Ryan, Administrator of Matulaitis Nursing Home. Other co-chairs include industry leaders Jane Downing, owner of Home Instead; United Services executives Diane Manning, President/CEO, and Emily Morrison, Director of Development; and Pam Kinder, Vice President of Business Development of United Community and Family Services.
The vision of the partnership is to be an accessible forum for Eastern Connecticut healthcare employers to work together to achieve their shared priorities. The partners seek to tailor education, workforce, and economic resources to the needs of employers.
Healthcare employers seeking to join the partnership should contact Paul Whitescarver, Executive Director of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region and Patricia Meyer, Director, Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Quinebaug Valley Community College at pwhitescarver@secter.org and PMeyer@qvcc.commnet.edu respectively.
Entrepreneurs and existing business owners now have access to free advising services paired with growth funding up to $20,000 from seCTer, the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, through its seCTerRise business retention and expansion program launched today.
seCTer, the federally designated economic development agency for southeastern Connecticut, is overseeing the use of $4.5 million over the next five years in business resiliency and sustainability funding targeted to this region by the State’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
Industries of focus include childcare, cybersecurity, agriculture, and sustainable energy. Businesses located in economically distressed communities, as determined by state criteria, will also receive priority consideration. Fifty percent of program funds will be awarded to minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
Business owners will be able to work with seCTer staff for help in applying for the funds and determining how best they can be used to sustain and expand their business.
Later this year, seCTerRise will help sponsor business pitch and business plan competition events for entrepreneurs and start-ups, awarding winners with up to $5,000 in seed funding.
“seCTer is one of three local agencies administering these funds from DECD and we’ll work collaboratively to find the best fit for guiding businesses when applicants reach out to us,” said Paul Whitescarver, seCTer executive director.
The Women’s Business Development Council and the Black Construction Alliance are also administering funds from DECD.
“This DECD program is about agencies such as ours working collaboratively to offer the most relevant guidance to particular businesses to help them prosper and expand,” Whitescarver said. “This is a significant opportunity to strengthen the regional economy and the workers and families who live here.”
For eligibility criteria, eligible uses, application details, and more information, visit www.secter.org or contact Business Retention & Expansion Specialist Joe Violette at 860-437-4659 or jviolette@secter.org.
Says region is well suited to pursue funding through ‘place-based’ economic development
Scott Andes, Program Lead for Build Back Better Regional Challenge at the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce was the keynote speaker during the annual meeting in Winter at the Norwich Inn and Spa.
Andes said the region is well positioned to pursue place-based economic development, an emerging trend in federal economic policy. He explained the concept as “a series of investments that together catalyze all elements of a local economy.”
“You are so much further along than so many other places in this country in a direction we may be going, so double down, focus on it,” Andes told the crowd.
He offered additional encouragement by adding that the Build Back Better Regional Challenge was “not a one and done” situation, but instead will serve as a model for federal investment in communities. His optimism was based on his belief that place-based investing is nonpartisan and can be successful in all areas of the country.
The Offshore Wind Industry Cluster was one of 60 finalists selected in 2022 from 529 applicants awarded $500,000 in Phase I funding of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The Offshore Wind Industry Cluster was not selected for Phase II funding, though work continues to develop a skilled workforce and manufacturing and services supply chain to support the industry.
The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant competition was the largest national economic development competition in American history.
The seCTer staff has been immersed in the sustainable energy sector since the end of 2022 with attendance at statewide and national events.
Executive Director Paul Whitescarver attended the Clean Energy Round Table Discussion April 13 hosted by the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and AdvanceCT.
The focus of this energy summit was on the state’s competitiveness in energy transition and economic development and included representatives of nearly 50 businesses. The three agencies have been working to build a unified vision for decarbonization and equitable economic development in Connecticut. Attendees were asked to help develop the vision and opportunities to support the growth of clean energy and transportation industries.
On April 12, the focus was on offshore wind opportunities when Whitescarver attended the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event featuring opportunities in this new industry. Connecticut business owners were able to meet with representatives of Revolution Wind, the state’s first offshore wind farm, being developed by the Ørsted and Eversource joint venture. The event included an overview of industry opportunities, and update on the State Pier redevelopment project as a hub for offshore wind.
At the end of March, Whitescarver sought opportunities for Connecticut in the offshore wind industry when he attended the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in Baltimore hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. Billed as the “premier offshore wind energy conference in the Americas” the annual conference allows global leaders and businesses in the offshore wind supply chain to connect while getting updates on industry technology, policy, and other aspects.
seCTer closed out 2022 by hosting ‘Foundation 2 Blade,’ also presented by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. This three-day workshop at the Mystic Hilton provided businesses, educators, and policymakers with information about all that is required to become part of this new industry’s supply chain. The workshop was funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development in conjunction with the Ørsted-Eversource joint venture developing South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind, and Sunrise Wind. All three wind farms will be assembled at and shipped from State Pier in the Port of New London.
seCTer received recognition for hosting the event in this article published by The Day.
Addition of Tom Caliento, Joe Violette provides support for RT Brown’s regional competitiveness initiatives
seCTer has established a Business Services Team to strengthen the region’s business community.
The Business Services Team will help entrepreneurs and veteran business owners identify both opportunities and challenges in their sector of the economy. Guidance will be offered across the spectrum, and will include assistance with business plans, financial statements, regulatory requirements, operations, marketing, expansion planning, foreign markets, navigating loan programs, succession planning, and more.
The team also will serve as a resource for new and existing businesses to make connections with third-party experts for additional guidance in specific areas. By helping to make connections with other organizations, particularly local chambers of commerce, the team will enable more efficient networking opportunities as well.
“By building out a Business Services Team we can help entrepreneurs and established business owners alike to better understand regional opportunities and challenges and all that seCTer can offer in addressing both,” said Executive Director Paul Whitescarver.
RT Brown, seCTer’s Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer, initiated the effort and is leading the Business Services Team. Brown is an economic development professional with extensive experience in regional economic development, developing business resiliency and sustainability strategies, as well as entrepreneur ecosystem development.
“Small businesses and employers are what drive an economy. There’s no singular place in southeastern Connecticut where businesses can get the resources they need to start, grow, and expand – that’s changing,” said Brown.
A key member of the team will be Thomas Caliento, an accounting and finance professional hired this Spring to serve as seCTer’s Business Adviser.
Caliento served as Financial Division Controller for NTT Data of Boston, Director of Finance and Operations for King Phillip Regional School District in Wrentham, Mass., and CFO for the town of East Longmeadow, Mass., in addition to previous similar finance positions.
Caliento is responsible for providing business advising and technical assistance to new and established businesses through sector analysis, financial planning, regulatory requirements, and resources for loan programs.
Joseph Violette, hired in January as Business Retention and Expansion Specialist, will focus on small businesses of 5 to 99 employees by providing expertise to negotiate challenges and act on opportunities. In addition, Violette is responsible for encouraging business owners to make use of seCTer’s training services in financial literacy, human resources, cyber security, digital marketing, small-business management tactics, and assistance with grants and low-interest loan programs.
“This is a strong team with deep, varied experience in small-business operations and regional economic development strategies,” Whitescarver said.
State, regional partners explain resources, opportunities available in ‘A new American Industry’
To highlight seCTer’s efforts to attract primary and secondary business opportunities in the offshore wind industry, we produced a video featuring members of the seCTer Offshore Wind Industry Cluster.
This video, A New American Industry is Born, shows visitors to our website that seCTer is the primary contact for doing business with offshore wind developers. It also enhances our visibility and presentations during outreach efforts ranging from conferences and workshops to meeting with individual businesses interested in locating here.
The video featured interviews with Alexandra Daum, CT Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; Dr. Joel Rinebold, Director of Energy at CT Center for Advanced Technology; Kevin Brown, Executive Director of the Norwich Community Development Corp., UConn professor Emmanouil Anagnostou of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Eversource Energy Endowed Chair of Environmental Engineering; David Allard, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, and seCTer Executive Director Paul Whitescarver.
2023 CEDS Available for Public Comment
- Southeastern Connecticut’s Economic Development Strategy – Main Document
- Southeastern Connecticut’s Economic Development Strategy – Appendices
If you would like to make a comment, please email: secter@secter.org. Please use “2023 CEDS Comments” as the subject line.
The Public Comment Period will be for 30 days, ending on: 5/17/2023.