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Shana Schlossberg, CEO and founder of Upward in Hartford, originally thought she would be a physician because she wanted to help people.
But she also had a passion for the tech world and realized she could also help people that way.
“People go into medicine because they want to save lives,” Schlossberg said. “Tech can also save lives. Today, I get to really impact people.”
Schlossberg was a senior business analyst/project manager at Hewlett-Packard after Sept. 11 and her company took part in an emergency-communication program that helped increase response times for emergency responders with the New York Fire Department.
“Since then I was attracted to projects that made a difference,” Schlossberg said.
Schlossberg said tech also impacts lives by providing jobs and saving cities.
At Upward, an innovation hub that she founded in 2017, her goal has been to reinvigorate Hartford through strategic public-private collaboration.
Right now, there are 60 different businesses — ranging from health, education and real estate startups — that are members of the space, or in one of the programs.
At least 30 have taken part in Upward programs overall, she said.
Upward offers companies a chance to live and work in downtown Hartford while fine-tuning their technologies as they collaborate with more established businesses like Hartford HealthCare and Hilton Hartford.
“The new needs the old and the old needs the new,” she said.
Schlossberg knew nothing about Hartford back in 2016 but it was apparent that it had a way to go, she said.
“It wasn’t thriving economically,” Schlossberg said.
Back then, she had to convince startups to come to Hartford.
“We were dragging them by their ears,” she said. Now, they are coming on their own. They ask questions, but it’s not as difficult to get them to come as it had been originally.
“Over three years ago, I visited for the first time, and what I saw got me excited,” Schlossberg said, referring to when she saw the 27,000-square-foot space at 20 Church St., where the company is located.
Upward expanded more than one year ago to 34,000 square feet, she said.
“I saw tech as an opportunity to revive the city,” she said, adding that Upward is a pioneer in Hartford’s revitalization efforts.
Last year, bigseventravel.com included Upward on a list highlighting top co-working spaces, noting the space is “ideal for those looking to collaborate.”
Her goal now is to continue the model of reinvigorating cities through tech and innovation that she began in Hartford and bring it to other cities. She said she’s in discussions with other cities throughout the country.
“If the city has energy and movement, people come,” she said.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?
I am immensely proud of building a company and brand that is working to revitalize second- and third-tier communities across America starting with Hartford. We have been in Hartford for three years and have served as key players in the revitalization of the downtown. We look forward to continually building and contributing to the ecosystem.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
I love what we are doing at Upward and just want to be able to do more — both in Hartford and around the country. I’m excited to take Upward to more cities and help more communities thrive.
What legacy do you want to leave after your career is over?
More than anything else, I want to be remembered for changing lives, inspiring others, and effecting change.
What are your keys to maintaining business success?
It’s important for me to constantly connect back to the mission and the reason I started the company — this helps me get through the challenging moments. Also I’ve created a good relationship with failure and mistakes, so when things don’t go as planned, I learn my lessons and move on.
What are your keys to maintaining work/life balance?
I really love working and I’ve learned that everyone’s balance is a bit different. I do make it a priority to disconnect every few months and recharge the batteries. I remind myself that I’m a critical asset for the business and my well-being contributes to the health of my business.
Who has been your most important mentor and why?
One of my previous bosses who had a big part in helping me become an entrepreneur taught me how to not see everything in black or white. This was a critical lesson that I had to learn before starting my own companies and building relationships with partners, investors and employees.
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The Hartford Business Journal 2025 Charity Event Guide is the annual resource publication highlighting the top charity events in 2025.
Hartford Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the area’s business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at HBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Delivering vital marketplace content and context to senior decision-makers throughout Connecticut ...
All Year Long!
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