About Us
our mission
Our mission is to stimulate the economy, create jobs and raise incomes through immigrant enterprise. We remove cultural, financial and knowledge barriers to business venture liftoff, growth and success.
We are a non-profit organization that works with immigrants, refugees and other minorities to fulfill their business ambition. We believe that for immigrants and refugees with skills, drive and an ability to sell a desired product or service, business formation may enable the individual to rise higher and be a stronger provider than working for others.
While there are costs involved in launching a business, we do not charge for our support services. We have been recognized in the U.S. Guide to Immigrant Economic Development as a model program.
Founded in 2013, we have a staff of 4 professionals and a board of directors. Our office is sited at 151 New Park Avenue, Suite 5A, Hartford, CT.
Angry Papa's Fresh Foods
Located at 465 Franklin Ave., they sell produce, ingredients and spices for South Central Asian and Southeast Asian cooking. International Hartford enabled these Burmese entrepreneurs to get city permits to open.
Dental America
A bilingual dental practice serving the under-insured at 188 Park St. International Hartford counseled them on how to meet city building requirements.
Shev’s Quality Wear
A men’s formal wear store, located at 1659 Park St. and owned by an Indian immigrant. International Hartford arranged for a city grant to update the store and expand inventory.
businesses that we've helped
Yolanda’s Products
A Latino condiment factory manufacturing and distributing sofrito, sited at 96 Brown St. International Hartford helped them write their business plan and secure a state loan and grant
Williams Realty & Professional Services
A realty and real estate management office operated by a North Hartford West Indian couple. International Hartford helped write their business plan and brokered a startup loan.
My Sensor Cane
A Puerto Rican inventor uses the latest digital technology to give the visually impaired new tools for way-finding and safe ambulation. International Hartford arranged for MakeHartford on Arbor St. to produce a prototype.
businesses that we've helped
Yolanda’s Products
A Latino condiment factory manufacturing and distributing sofrito, sited at 96 Brown St. International Hartford helped them write their business plan and secure a state loan and grant
Williams Realty & Professional Services
A realty and real estate management office operated by a North Hartford West Indian couple. International Hartford helped write their business plan and brokered a startup loan.
My Sensor Cane
A Puerto Rican inventor uses the latest digital technology to give the visually impaired new tools for way-finding and safe ambulation. International Hartford arranged for MakeHartford on Arbor St. to produce a prototype.
Angry Papa's Fresh Foods
Located at 465 Franklin Ave., they sell produce, ingredients and spices for South Central Asian and Southeast Asian cooking. International Hartford enabled these Burmese entrepreneurs to get city permits to open.
Dental America
A bilingual dental practice serving the under-insured at 188 Park St. International Hartford counseled them on how to meet city building requirements.
Shev’s Quality Wear
A men’s formal wear store, located at 1659 Park St. and owned by an Indian immigrant. International Hartford arranged for a city grant to update the store and expand inventory.
More businesses we've helped
meet the team!
Art Feltman
Executive Director
Art, a retired lawyer who operated his own business for twenty years, is both the administrator and a business counselor at International Hartford. He holds a JD and a certificate in non-profit administration from University of Connecticut and a B.A. from Wesleyan University.
Erwin Hurst
Business Navigator
Erwin Hurst, a writer and entrepreneur, is a publisher and teacher of incarcerated entrepreneurs. Erwin holds a BS in management, cum laude, from Post University, and an MBA from Post with a concentration in Management. He is a U.S. Marine veteran, active in numerous church and civic associations.
Ricardo Feliciano
One World Market Manager
Ricardo “Richie” Feliciano manages our One World Market international food truck court. He is also a translator and liaison to Latino clients.
Richie owns his own company, Yolanda Products, which produces Latino cooking bases and spices. He is skilled in technology and music engineering. Richie is a graduate of Prince Technical High School and attended classes at Manchester Community College.