AI DAY

/Startup Showcase

Connecticut's AI Startup Competition

10 AI startups. One stage. Connecticut's largest gathering of innovators, educators, and business leaders.

Date

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Time

1:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Location

Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT

Showcase Finalists

10 AI startups selected to pitch at Connecticut's largest AI event

Michael Berlingo

CEO

Starteryou

Esther Chiang

CEO & CoFounder

SmartEsq, Inc.

Jeanine DeFalco

CEO & Founder

Mixta Inc

Daniella Dennis

Emergency Medicine Resident Physician

PayScopeMD

Courtney Dubin

Founder & CEO

Waykinder

Anthony Lombari

Founder

Ironhand

Lance Mald

Founder/CEO

BrandChef.ai

Smita Sawant

CEO

Azodha

Vamsi Sripada

Founder

ZOARK ROBOTICS

Maggie Stys

CEO & Cofounder

Dreyev

Judges

Evaluating startups on AI depth, traction, and market potential

Ashwini Ghogare

AWS

Steve Schwartz

Angel Investor Forum

Kira Vanderwert

Outside Fund

Cohosts

Nisreen Cain

Couragesmith LLC

Kal Deutsch

The Batchery

Participants Receive

+$5K AWS Activate Credits
+Expert Feedback from investors, tech experts & serial entrepreneurs
+Power Networking with potential customers
+Personalized Pitch Coaching
+Post-Program Debrief