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Realist Lab

@realistlab

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Helping founders move from idea to traction with practical, hands-on support!

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The MIC x Realist Lab Growth Studio is a hands-on, 6-week hybrid accelerator for pre-seed, tech-enabled B2B founders ready to turn early market engagement into a stronger go-to-market engine.

Applications close September 15.
Cohort begins the week of September 21.

Apply now, link in bio.

#startups #founders #b2b #connecticut #realistlabs

Selected Connecticut-based startups will receive support designed to help sharpen positioning, strengthen pipeline, and build toward investment-ready growth.

Plus, $5,000 grants are available for participating startups.

Applications close September 15.
Cohort begins the week of September 21.

#startups #founders #b2b #connecticut #realistla by @realistlab

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19 days ago

10 companies. 6 weeks. Hands on execution.

Build a stronger go to market strategy, improve conversion, strengthen your pipeline, and create systems for sustainable growth.

Connecticut startups may be eligible for up to $5,000 in grant funding.

Applications extended to September 15.
Apply: tinyurl.com/MICxRealist

Know a founder ready to grow? Send this their way.

#GrowthStudio #RealistLab #StartupGrowth #ConnecticutStartups #Founders by @realistlab

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22 days ago

Next week, our current Aspire Cohort founders will step into a VC Showcase closed to the public to share their companies directly with four experienced investors and venture leaders.

- Iain York, CFA York, General Partner & Head of Investments at The Mission Investments Company, brings experience across institutional, venture, and impact investing.

- Clarence Bethea, Founder at What VCs Won’t Say, has raised more than $30M as a founder and helped other founders raise more than $100M.

- Christian McKenzie, Vice President at Lofty Ventures, brings experience across venture investing, portfolio strategy, consumer markets, and technology.

- Edward Goodwin, Ph.D., Director and former President of the Angel Investor Forum, combines decades of scientific research with deep experience in angel investing.

This private showcase is one example of the access our founders receive through Realist Lab. Direct investor exposure, relationship-building, and opportunities to sharpen how they position their companies.

Interested in opportunities like this? Click the link in our bio to learn more and apply to our programs.

#realistlab #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #foundersupport #startupcommunity by @realistlab

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a month ago

Stamford was special. Engaging, emotional, raw and electric. Founders really dug in.

Can’t say thank you enough to @my.dailyposts and the @realistlab team. Your partnership is valuable and we are grateful for it.

Here’s a quick recap on the day and some feedback from founders who attended. 🙏🏿❤️

Thanks to @trinethr for their support of early stage founders who are building the future. by @realistlab

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a month ago

MIC Funds and Realist Lab are launching Growth Studio, a new 6-week accelerator for pre-seed, tech-enabled B2B founders who have early traction and are ready to turn it into investment-ready growth.

The program is built for teams with active users, ongoing pilots, early revenue, or meaningful customer engagement, and is focused on helping founders build a stronger, more repeatable go-to-market engine.

Connecticut startups may also be eligible for up to $5,000 in grant funding.
Applications close September 12.

Click the link in our bio to apply.

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#growthaccelerator #startupgrowth #b2bfounders #connecticutstartups #founders by @realistlab

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a month ago

250 years ago, a group of people bet on a big idea. Founders have been doing the same thing ever since.

Happy Fourth of July from the team Realist Lab. 🇺🇸

#July4th #IndependenceDay #250Years #Founders #RealistLab by @realistlab

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3 months ago

Founders hear a lot about fundraising but not always the things investors are really thinking.

On Friday, August 14, Realist Lab is partnering with What VCs Won’t Say, with support from TriNet, to bring founders a hands-on fundraising workshop led by entrepreneur, investor, and founder Clarence Bethea.

This 5-hour workshop is designed for founders preparing to raise their first round, next round, or simply sharpen how they communicate their business.

You’ll walk away with investor insights, practical fundraising strategies, and clearer answers to the questions that often sit quietly in the room during a pitch.

Tickets are $34 and space is limited. Click the link in our bio to grab your spot here!

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#founders #fundraising #startupfunding #venturecapital #realistlab by @realistlab

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3 months ago

Juneteenth is a reminder of resilience, justice, and the ongoing responsibility to build communities. We should remember the history, uplift the legacy, and continue to advocate for true freedom for all.

#realistlab #juneteenth #resilience #freedom by @realistlab

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3 months ago

A huge thank you to The Stamford Hotel for partnering with us on the #CTTechWeek Happy Hour.

It was such a fun way to bring founders, builders, operators, and community partners together in a more relaxed setting. No panels. No pressure. Just good conversations, good energy, and yes, a very popular popcorn bar.

We’re grateful to The Stamford Hotel for opening their doors and helping us create another space for Connecticut’s innovation community to connect.

🎥 | @whatsdahvibe

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#RealistLab #TheStamfordHotel #StamfordCT #ConnecticutInnovation #StartupEcosystem by @realistlab

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4 months ago

A special thank you to our CT Tech Week sponsors for helping power two of the biggest moments of the week, the Spark Awards and Founder Finals.

Your support helps us create rooms where founders are seen, supported, celebrated, and connected to the people and resources that can help them grow.

Thank you to our Platinum sponsors, Wiggin and Dana and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, our Gold sponsor, Strong Capital Markets, and our Silver sponsors, The Stamford Hotel and Flying Whale Wines.

We are grateful to have partners who believe in founders, community, and the work it takes to build a stronger innovation ecosystem in Connecticut.

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#CTTechWeek #ConnecticutInnovation #StartupEcosystem #Entrepreneurship by @realistlab

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4 months ago

On June 1, we opened @cttechweek with the 2026 Spark Awards, Realist Lab’s annual fundraiser and a night dedicated to celebrating the people helping shape Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem.

The room was full of founders, investors, partners, creatives, civic leaders, and community builders. People who are not just talking about what Connecticut can become, but actually doing the work to build it.

This year, we were proud to honor:

Makeda Mays Green, Trailblazer of the Year
Lindy Lee Gold, Ecosystem Builder Award
Lauren Carmody, Innovation Catalyst Award
Leah Kagan, Community Impact Award
Stephanie Almonte, Next Gen Leader Award
Byron Soza, Impact Partner Award
Elina Furman, Rising Star Award
Tamika Vantifflin, Founder Impact Award
Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann, Momentum Award

Thank you to our sponsors, Wiggin and Dana, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Strong Capital Markets, and The Stamford, for helping make the evening possible.

And thank you to our honorees, partners, team, volunteers, and everyone who helped bring the night to life.

The Spark Awards was just the beginning of CT Tech Week, but it set the tone in the best possible way.

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#CTTechWeek #SparkAwards #RealistLab #ConnecticutInnovation #Entrepreneurship by @realistlab

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4 months ago

"When I thought of CT Tech Week, it felt like a crazy big idea." Three years later, that idea has grown into a statewide celebration of innovation featuring more than 40 events across Connecticut.

During our CT Tech Week kickoff and Spark Awards celebration, Realist Lab Founder and President Marie Rocha reflected on the growth of the week and the vision behind it: creating a place where founders, innovators, investors, students, and community builders can connect, collaborate, and build what's next.

From Bridgeport to Hartford, New Haven to Waterbury, CT Tech Week is bringing people together and helping showcase the incredible talent being built right here in Connecticut.

Explore events happening across the state at CTTechWeek.com.

#CTTechWeek #SparkAwards #RealistLab #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Connecticut by @realistlab

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4 months ago