​In partnership with Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), Realist Lab is hosting an Economic Development Exchange as part of this year’s CT Tech Week.

​Program: 1–4 PM

​1:00 – 1:15 PM

​Arrival + light networking

​1:15 – 2:00 PM

​Fireside chat: Marie Rocha and Kristen Gorski (Town of West Hartford)

​2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

​Panel Discussion

​3:00 – 3:50 PM

​Founder demos/case studies

​Networking Mixer: 4–6 PM (across the street a the Marriott)

​For a long time, we’ve talked about the importance of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in economic development. At the same time, there’s still a real gap between policy and what’s actually happening on the ground. As economic developers, we learn the most when we hear directly from industry and better understand how to support founders and entrepreneurs in a meaningful way.

​This event is about bringing those perspectives together in one room. It’s a space for honest conversation, shared learning, and practical idea exchange between the public and private sectors.

​One of our key panels will feature the following experts and their perspective -

​Nicole Desir brings a marketing and brand strategy perspective, helping connect economic development to storytelling, visibility, customer acquisition, and trust-building.

​Vincent Thompson brings a banking and capital readiness perspective, helping entrepreneurs understand financial preparedness, credit, banking relationships, and pathways to long-term wealth-building.

​Yvonne Zhao brings a state, city, and founder-support perspective, connecting public-sector economic development priorities with the practical resources entrepreneurs need to move from idea to execution.

​Carl Rosa brings a Main Street and Waterbury economic development perspective, grounding the conversation in local business growth, commercial corridor activation, and community-centered development.

​We also want to give special thanks to Waterbury Development Corporation, Main Street Waterbury, and Post University for their support and for hosting this event.

​Fireside Chat (Marie Rocha and Kristen Gorski)

​Marie Rocha, Founder of Realist Lab

​Marie Rocha is the visionary founder behind Realist Ventures, a Connecticut-based venture fund dedicated to funding early-stage biotech and software startups. With a remarkable career spanning over 20+ years, Marie brings a wealth of expertise in both business and technology. Her journey began as a software engineer, where she honed her skills before venturing into entrepreneurship. She has co-founded multiple successful ventures, including a sustainable e-commerce store and IMAK Software, a startup focused on providing software solutions for small businesses and nonprofits.

​Building on her success with Realist Ventures, she founded Realist Lab in 2022, a tech incubator designed to equip aspiring business owners with the funding, technology resources, and practical tools needed to scale their ventures. Recognizing the importance of giving back, Marie has served on several boards, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Fairfield County Community Foundation, Greenwich Academy, VestHer, Live Girl, and CT Next.

​Marie Rocha’s impressive track record as a serial entrepreneur and dedicated mentor showcases her commitment to driving innovation and fostering the growth of promising startups. Through Realist Ventures and Realist Lab, she continues to make a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering founders to realize their visions and make a lasting difference in their industries.

​Kristen Gorski, Economic Development Manager, Town of West Hartford

​Gorski leads the Economic Development Division for the Town of West Hartford. In her role, she is responsible for business retention and expansion, new business attraction, new development, and small business and entrepreneurial support. Kristen is a liaison between the Town and its businesses and non-profit organizations as well as the real estate and development community. Prior to joining the Town of West Hartford in 2016, she worked at the Bristol Development Authority for the City of Bristol.

​A Massachusetts native, Kristen moved to Connecticut in 2015. In Massachusetts, she worked for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the state's largest regional planning agency whose focus is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration. While at MAPC, she served as a liaison between federal and state agencies as well as local government representatives statewide implementing homeland security planning initiatives. Kristen also assisted with the Cambridge Post-Disaster Recovery for Small Businesses project, working collaboratively with the City of Cambridge, MA and their various business districts. Additionally, she has more than six years of business management experience in the retail sector.

​Kristen is a past president of the Connecticut Economic Development Association, which is the statewide association for economic development professionals. She is actively involved with the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce where she serves on the Economic Development Committee and is the Town representative to the Board of Directors. Kristen was recognized as a member of the 2022 Class of the Hartford Business Journal’s prestigious Forty Under 40 as well as the Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 Power Real Estate.

​Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Geography and Regional Planning and a B.S. in Criminal Justice, both from Westfield State University. She is an avid hiker, skier and competitive volleyball player.

​About CT Tech Week:

​CT Tech Week is a statewide series of events focused on technology, startups, and innovation across Connecticut.

​It’s not one single conference in one room.
It’s more like a city-wide (actually state-wide) moment where everything connects.

​Media Consent:
By attending this event, you consent to photography, video, and audio recording. Your presence may be captured and used for promotional purposes in perpetuity, including on websites, social media, news, and advertising. Your participation serves as your release of any claims related to the use of recorded media, including those regarding privacy or copyright.

​​​About Realist Lab

​Realist Lab is a (501(c)(3) organization on a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and change makers through education, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives. We provide resources, funding opportunities, and strategic support to help early-stage founders bring their visions to life. Through programs like the Venture Launch Fellowship, we cultivate a thriving ecosystem for underrepresented entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the tools, connections, and knowledge needed to build sustainable and impactful businesses.