Company/organization description
The CT Small Business Development Center supports entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses at no cost, combining one-on-one expert advising, training programs, and a powerful set of tools.
The University of Bridgeport Is a private university acclaimed for its expert faculty, career-oriented programs, and flexible degree options that serves a large number of first-generation and local college students.
How are you engaged/involved in supporting/advocating for the CT entrepreneur ecosystem?
Through my work at the CT Small Business Development Center I work with a wide range of entrepreneurs (all industries and backgrounds) both through one-on-one support and by developing relevant training programs. I contribute time in support of various organizations that promote opportunity in entrepreneurship such as City of New Haven and its Business Academy, the University of Bridgeport's Bauer Innovation Center, and Green Village Initiative, and collaborate with partners across the state.
What improved in the CT entrepreneur ecosystem due to your involvement/advocacy in 2020?
Access to COVID-19 capital and information for small businesses and particularly those in minority communities, creating and participating in over 65 webinars and calls to support entrepreneurs in 3 languages.
Nominator Justification
Valeria has worked tirelessly to help small businesses through covid with PPA applications, she volunteers to speak whenever asked in schools and public entrepreneur forums, continually offers books and other tools to help people in business and volunteers at UB's student entrepreneur center regularly. She is not just hard working but empathetic to small business owners needs.
