Hartford Business Journal

7 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | June 6, 2022 STARTUPS, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY "I think folks are itching to get out of their homes, but not necessarily go back to the office so coworking is an interesting alternative to a coffee shop or a library," Bodley said. Striking a balance Launc[H], a business and entrepreneur support group, announced in April that it's partnering with Silicon Valley-based accelerator Plug and Play Health to work with five startups to evolve and grow their businesses. Launc[H] Director Michelle Cote said that prior to March 2020, her organization focused on bringing startups to the city for in-person programming, but when travel shut down everything changed. "The pandemic had a huge impact," Cote said. "Even if they had a small outpost here in Hartford, through any of the facilities that cater to early-stage companies, having a physical presence in the city became really difficult to maintain." Now, the organization has a mix of in-person and online programming. In early May, Launc[H] partnered with InsurTech Hartford to bring 48 companies to the city for a symposium. Cote said the current accelerator with Plug and Play Health is online, so companies can continue to work virtually from home. Out of the five startups, only one is based in Connecticut — Stamford's NourishedRx, a digital health company that uses artificial intelligence to match members with personalized meal and grocery offerings. Cote said programs like the Plug and Play collaboration strike a balance between supporting startups while also helping build Hartford's brand as a hub of entrepreneurship and innovation. Hartford-based organizations — including Hartford HealthCare and Trinity College — will offer feedback to participating startups and show them what opportunities the city has to offer as they grow their business. "We're working on some opportunities for them to come physically spend time in the city and think of growth strategies that would include a meaningful presence in Hartford," Cote said. International reach In May, The Bridge Healing Arts Center in Farmington hosted its first Well4Tech Bootcamp for startups, and CEO Yisroel Rabinowitz said he hopes to turn the program into a regular event. The Bridge announced in May it was collaborating with Arieli Capital, a U.S. and Israeli holding and investment company, to launch the international Well4Tech Bootcamp for technology startups in the physical therapy and mental health fields. Rabinowitz said Arieli has held similar bootcamps in Israel and Italy but this was its first collaboration in America. "Heath and wellness has become such a huge market, especially as we're coming out of COVID, so we wanted to try and attract technology startups in those fields," said Rabinowitz, who has also been an active investor in Hartford real estate and is CEO of development firm Universal Enterprise. He purchased The Bridge building at 304 Main St. in 2015 for $1.4 million. Six companies from Europe, Israel and the U.S. participated in meetings with investors and industry leaders that culminated in a May 26 pitch event. Companies had investment opportunities during the bootcamp, The Bridge Healing Arts Center's inaugural Well4Tech Bootcamp accelerator took place in May with entrepreneurs and investors flocking to Farmington for networking and consultation opportunities. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER and were offered office space for up to one year as part of the program. Alexandra Dantzig, co-founder of fitness software company JET SWEAT, came from Manhattan to participate in the bootcamp. "It was really great to be a part of this pitch day because we're in our first fundraising round now, so we're excited to get some expansion capital to scale the business," Dantzig said. JET SWEAT helps connect boutique fitness studios and professionals with customers using a proprietary video streaming software, allowing them to grow and compete with bigger companies like Peloton. Dantzig said her JET SWEAT has many part-time employees but hopes to expand the team after raising money. Maya Dayan and her brother, Kfir Dayan, traveled from Israel to showcase their parenting technology company Jama. The duo are fundraising so they can expand their footprint into the U.S. They said it was their first time networking in the country. Jama — a phone application for new parents to share tips, tricks and ideas — has about 50,000 users in Israel, but the company is ready to look globally after launching in 2020. Connecticut could be on the founders' short list for a U.S. office. "We're targeting the U.S. market," Kfir Dayan said. "It seems like you have a good infrastructure for business here in Connecticut." Or Haviv, a partner and head of global ventures at Arieli, said Connecticut has a lot of what his firm looks for when thinking about business startup programs: universities, available capital, and a welcoming, strong business ecosystem. He said his firm plans to hold more accelerator programs at The Bridge in the future. "Connecticut is known for having a serious health and insurance industry," Haviv said. "We hope we can show companies what Connecticut has to offer." Or Haviv, a partner and head of global ventures at Arieli Capital, which was a partner in The Bridge Healing Arts Center's recent Well4Tech Bootcamp accelerator. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Michelle Cote

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