Naugatuck Farm Among Finalists For WBDC Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition

The Women's Business Development Council has announced six finalists who will compete in the 2026 Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:33pm

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A Naugatuck farm was among six finalists announced by the Women's Business Development Council who will compete in the 2026 Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition. The finalists will compete during the 12th Women-Owned Business Day event on April 8, where three $25,000 grants will be awarded to women-owned businesses poised for continued growth.

Why it matters

The Accelerate Pitch Competition is a key part of the Women-Owned Business Day event, which aims to highlight the impact of women-owned businesses in Connecticut and provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to connect with policymakers and discuss the challenges facing small businesses.

The details

The six finalists will take the stage to share how the $25,000 grant funding would help them expand operations, increase capacity, and strengthen their businesses. The event will also feature remarks from WBDC leadership, a fireside chat on civic engagement, and the opportunity for attendees to connect directly with elected officials.

  • The 2026 Accelerate Pitch Competition will take place on April 8, 2026.
  • Women-Owned Business Day is WBDC's signature annual event.

The players

Women's Business Development Council

A non-profit organization that provides training, financing, and advocacy to support women entrepreneurs and small business owners in Connecticut.

Fran Pastore

The CEO of the Women's Business Development Council.

Gilda Bonanno

The Principal of Gilda Bonanno LLC, who will serve as the emcee for the Women-Owned Business Day event.

Stephanie Thomas

The Connecticut Secretary of the State, who will participate in a fireside chat on civic engagement.

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut, who has been invited to participate in the Women-Owned Business Day event.

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What they’re saying

“Women-Owned Business Day is WBDC's signature annual event, bringing together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers and advocates from across Connecticut for a morning of recognition, connection and civic engagement.”

— Fran Pastore, CEO, Women's Business Development Council

What’s next

The six finalists will compete in the Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition during the Women-Owned Business Day event on April 8, 2026, where three $25,000 grants will be awarded.

The takeaway

The Accelerate Pitch Competition and Women-Owned Business Day event highlight the important role that women-owned businesses play in Connecticut's economy and provide valuable opportunities for women entrepreneurs to connect with policymakers and access resources to help grow their businesses.