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The Refinery In Westport Wins $50K Grant

WESTPORT, Conn. – The Refinery in Westport was awarded a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration in its first Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, which focuses on building female-led start-ups in Connecticut into accessible businesses.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Small Business Administration reviewed more than 800 applications and chose 50 winners. The recipients represent 31 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The accelerators also come from various industries , including manufacturing, tech start-ups, farming as well as a focus on a diversified range of demographic groups.

“We are incredibly excited to have won this grant, it will allow us to deliver a top notch inaugural program this fall of The Refinery as well as continue to serve more women led business and build the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Connecticut," said Janis Collins and Jennifer Gabler, co-founders of The Refinery.

The Refinery will have ten participant companies and more than thirty mentors participating in its accelerator program based at The Westport Library beginning on Sept. 10 and ending in a pitch night competition on Nov. 20.

Program goals include accelerating the growth of early-stage ventures ensuing in job creation, investments and serving the under-served market of women-led companies.

Each organization will receive a cash prize of $50,000 from the SBA, and will be committed to quarterly reporting for one year of jobs created, funds raised, startup companies launched and sponsors obtained. 

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