NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut was buzzing Tuesday evening in New London as 35 hopeful entrepreneurs pitched their startups to local business community members.

They were vying for $4,500 in prize money put together by the chamber and community members after two months of developing their business ideas through the chamber's Entrepreneur Academy program.

“Whether it’s coming up with an idea, how to get funding to start that idea, how to pitch to investors, we’ve learned almost every aspect that comes with running a business," Regan Kaye, a founding partner of Sizzle Pop , said. "Marketing, social media, even how to use AI.”

Kaye invented Sizzle Pop , a new brand of healthy and sustainable lime-flavored soda pop, while in college with friend Ga

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