SEE Partners with CONNECT to Help Start-Ups

In a unique twist, local nonprofit organization, Sustainable Surplus Exchange (SSE), will be benefiting start-up, for profit companies through a collaboration with CONNECT.

“Our primary targets are educational and charitable organizations,” said SSE executive director, Sue Prelozni.  However, not all the items can be repurposed to those organizations.  “Sometimes we will receive scientific instruments which may be too complex or expensive to maintain even at a community college,” Prelozni explained.  In other instances, SSE will receive a quantity of items that would overload the NPO market.

So, SSE reached out to its mentor, CONNECT, a regional program that catalyzes innovative technologies by linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success.  Through its Springboard program, CONNECT matches innovators with business advisors – industry experts with C-level experience – to mentor them through a multi-stage process including developing a commercialization strategy, marketing, operational plans, and financial strategy.

SSE is the first nonprofit to graduate from CONNECT’s Springboard program.

“SSE came into the Springboard program in an unusual way. We typically coach tech companies, with a protectable technology, capable of returning profits to investors. Not so with SSE! This is a social return on investment!” noted CONNECT Vice President of Business Creation & Development, Ruprecht von Buttlar.

Through their collaboration, Springboard graduating companies, of which there are several hundred, will have access to inexpensive items, the basics, to support their business during its crucial start-up phase. 

“I am very excited about this opportunity! Cash-strapped Springboard companies can now acquire essential equipment for a fraction of the regular price and make a difference to the environment ,” Ruprecht added.

All the items are available on SSE’s online Exchange.  Springboard members will pay an annual membership fee and be able to access items in the Exchange.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Prelozni. Corporations will be in compliance with state recycling mandates by reducing the amount of solid waste they would dispose in the landfills.  Still useful items are repurposed, supporting our environment and reducing the drain on resources to create new items.  And nonprofit and start-up organizations get much-needed items, alleviating budget constraints.