DBT40 Honoree: Alysse Bortolotto

Title: Director of Economic Development and Business Incubation

Alysse Bortolotto | DBT PHOTO BY LUIGI CIUFFETELLI

Workplace: New Castle County Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Enterprise Center

Age: 37

When it comes to promoting economic growth and prosperity in Delaware’s most populous county, Alysse Bortolotto is the go-to person.

As the director of economic development and business incubation for New Castle County Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Enterprise Center, Bortolotto’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship and workforce development through programs, events and partnerships that drive economic growth.

Just weeks after starting her development role at the chamber, though, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to halt that growth. Thanks to her digital acumen, Bortolotto pivoted the organization to an online presence that was able to provide resources and support to the area’s business community. She also helped build the group’s website and exponentially increased online traffic while also attracting media coverage and organizing educational programs.

Since 2020, Bortolotto also has secured more than $250,000 in grants and donations for Delaware’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. She also manages a business incubator that has supported the launch of more than 75 startups, the majority of which are women- and minority-owned, and launched the “Delaware Start-up Story” video series so far featuring 18 new businesses.

Outside of her work for the chamber, the Newark resident volunteers for the national nonprofit SCORE and has also donated time to other national organizations such as Artomatic, Planned Parenthood and Feminist Majority Foundation. She is married to art therapist and teacher Rob Lynch, and is a custom house portrait artist who also ran a creative events business called Beads & Bubbly.