Traction Workshop: Design Thinking with Brooke Gemmel & Wes Hamrick
Wednesday, September 27 @6:30PM, Virtual (Open To ALL!)

CCEI INSPIRES A CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION THROUGHOUT UCONN
We support students, faculty, and alumni as they are innovating and creating solutions to some of the world's greatest problems. We connect students with opportunities to learn and engage in entrepreneurship, and know that these transformative experiences will be a catalyst to building the future they dreamed of. For alumni, we are here to continue to support their passions and goals no matter where their journey has taken them. While Entrepreneurship. Starts. Here. ... We certainly know it is just one step!

CCEI In The News
- Conflict and Commerce: A Journey to Support Founders in Ukraine September 20, 2023UConn Today – The coffee in Lviv is some of the best that Ryan Coles has ever had. “Better than Seattle,” declares Coles, an assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship in the UConn School of Business’ Boucher Management & Entrepreneurship Department, who has sampled coffee in cities all over the world as he’s pursued his... […]Scott Slater III
- UConn MBA Student Launching Lingerie Company That Shuns Toxic Chemicals, Appeals to Health-Conscious Consumers September 19, 2023UConn Today – Christina Phillips was horrified when she discovered that toxic and dangerous chemicals are used to manufacture women’s bras and underwear. Who would suspect that formaldehyde, pesticides, petroleum, dyes, parabens and “forever chemicals’’ are found in the creation of most popular brands of lingerie? Read articleScott Slater III
- Tech Startup Swipestorm Addresses Quick-Service Restaurants’ Customer-Service Issues September 12, 2023UConn Today – As a manager at a Connecticut Chick-fil-A, Nathan Catapano ’24 (CLAS) took pride in his restaurant’s customer service, reputation, and success. If a customer had a less-than-satisfactory experience, Catapano wanted to correct the issue quickly and do everything he could to give them a remarkable dining experience. Read articleClaire Hall
Upcoming Events
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Sep
27
Real Stories of Raising Startup Funding 3:00pm
Real Stories of Raising Startup Funding
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Join us for an exciting event where experienced founders will share their insights on the many funding options for startups. This panel discussion aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of funding, providing valuable advice and strategies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from successful founders who have been through the funding process themselves. Gain actionable insights, network with like-minded individuals, and take your startup to the next level. Register now to secure your spot!
Panelists:
Ryan Gresh – Founder, The Feel Good Lab
Hayley Segar – Founder, onewith
Reid Waldman – Founder, VeradermicsThis event is free and open to the public. Please register HERE.
This event is brought to you by UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Launc[H]artford as part of Hartford Innovation Week.
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Sep
27
Angel Investing: Evaluating Early-Stage Startups 5:30pm
Angel Investing: Evaluating Early-Stage Startups
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
05:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
For investors, this is one of the most important skills to develop. Most of the pitches that you hear sound great, but will the team really be able to use your money to make money?
And for founders, it’s equally important to understand how potential investors are sizing-up your team and your venture.
In this session, Craig Mullett will share some criteria that he has developed for evaluating early-stage companies through his experience as an Angel Investor. He’ll also share a framework for using those criteria to efficiently evaluate the investment opportunity associated with early-stage companies both during and AFTER the initial pitch.
A panel of active Angel Investors will also share their experiences in evaluating, and investing in early-stage startups.
Please join us for an informative and engaging evening with peers from Hartford’s growing innovation community.
Agenda:
5:30 - 6:00 pm - Arrival & Networking
6:00 - 6:10pm - Welcome & Introductions
6:10-6:30 pm - Evaluating Early-Stage Startups - Craig Mullett, President, Branison Group
6:30-7:15pm - Panel: Investing in Early Stage Companies
7:15 - 8:00pm - Cocktails & Networking
This event is free and open to the public. Please register HERE
This event is brought to you by UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Launc[H]artford, as part of Hartford Innovation Week.
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Oct
4
The Sustainable Clean Energy Summit: Decarbonizing Society and the Grid 9:00am
The Sustainable Clean Energy Summit: Decarbonizing Society and the Grid
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
09:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Student Union
Join us! Be part of a growing community focused on advancing clean energy, developing the workforce of the future and creating a healthier, more sustainable path forward for us all.
Students from all areas of study are critical to these important conversations and their registration fees are complimentary.
Contact Information:
University Events and Conference Services at conferences@uconn.edu or 860.486.1038.
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Oct
4
Clean Energy Engagement Fair 3:00pm
Clean Energy Engagement Fair
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Student Union
Register for the Clean Energy Fair Here
Note: register for only the Engagement Fair or the full Summit. Student participation is welcome and encouraged.
The Center for Career Development has many resources available to students, including meeting with a career coach who can help you prepare for this engagement fair.
Contact Information:
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Oct
9
Accelerate UConn (NSF I-Corps) Application Deadline All Day
Accelerate UConn (NSF I-Corps) Application Deadline
Monday, October 9th, 2023
All Day
Accelerate UConn is UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Site and its mission is to catalyze the transition of new scientific discoveries and capabilities from the lab to the marketplace. Participating teams will receive an introduction to the most critical elements of the I-Corps Curriculum and Lean Launchpad methodology. Over the course of this virtual 5-week program, teams will learn how to determine the market opportunity for their product or technology.
Participants will learn how to:
- Develop new ways to communicate the value of their product or technology
- Understand the structure of the market they are entering
- Develop strategies for generating demand for their product or technology
- Identify next steps needed to launch their venture
- Identify customers most likely to bring first revenueTeams will receive:
- 5 weeks of training on the Business Model Canvas and Customer Discovery Process
- Coaching from industry experts and access to next step resources
- $2,000 to support customer discovery and development of minimum viable product
- Assistance identifying additional team membersApplications for the Fall 2023 cohort will close on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
For more information and to apply please visit: https://ccei.uconn.edu/programs/accelerate-uconn/
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Oct
10
Get Seeded Pitch Competition 6:00pm
Get Seeded Pitch Competition
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Have a business idea? Looking for seed funding to help you get started? Get Seeded provides UConn students across all schools the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a live virtual audience who then votes on which ideas are funded. Students that are selected to pitch have an opportunity to earn up to $1,000 in seed funding for their idea as well as support from other students who may be interested in joining their business venture.
Don’t have an idea yet? Not ready to pitch? Just want to watch other students pitch? Get Seeded pitch nights are open to the public and are a great way to network and connect!
Here’s how it works:
- Interested students can apply to pitch an idea at one of our “Shark Tank style” pitch nights
- Selected participants will then pitch their idea for 5 minutes at one of our virtual pitch nights to members of the audience
- At the end of the night, the audience votes for their favorite ideas
- The top 3 teams of the night will win $1,000, $750 and $500 respectively, in non-dilutive seed funding towards their new business venture or idea!
- In April, the top five teams from our pitch nights are invited to pitch at Demo Day, where teams can win up to $5,000 in seed funding!
2023-2024 Pitch Nights
- October 10, 2023 at 6pm
- November 2, 2023 at 6pm
- December 6, 2023 at 6pm
- January 30, 2023 at 6pm
- February 22, 2023 at 6pm
- March 20, 2023 at 6pm
Demo Day: April 16, 5pm
Apply to pitch at Get Seeded HERE: https://ccei.uconn.edu/getseeded/
Teams are selected up to one week prior to the pitch night.
RSVP to attend an upcoming pitch night HERE: https://ccei.uconn.edu/getseeded/
Get Seeded Pitch Competitions are coordinated by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) at UConn. CCEI was founded in 2007, and is a focal point for entrepreneurial activity within the University. CCEI supports student, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs across all academic departments, schools, and colleges. For more info: ccei.uconn.edu
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Oct
12
Research Connections 3:00pm
Research Connections
Thursday, October 12th, 2023
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Peter J. Werth Residence Tower
Research Connections, part of UConn’s annual Month of Discovery, is intended to expose primarily first and second year students to UConn’s rich landscape of research through meaningful interactions with faculty, staff, graduate students, peers, and other key partners. Research Connections can involve offices, departments, and initiatives from across campus, spanning any discipline or area of study.
All students are welcome at this event. If you require any accommodations to attend, please email shannon.ahearn@uconn.edu. Learn more about Research Connections and prepare for the event: fyp.uconn.edu/researchconnections
This is an Honors Event. Categories: Academic & Interdisciplinary Engagement OR Career, Professional, & Personal Development.
#UHLevent10590
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Oct
17
Wolff New Venture Competition 5:30pm
Wolff New Venture Competition
Tuesday, October 17th, 2023
05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Wolff New Venture Competition features live pitches by the top startups coming out of UConn, and gives away over $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to the startups each year.
The legwork for the Wolff New Venture Competition begins in the spring, where 10 startups are hand selected by an independent panel to participate in the CCEI Summer Fellowship Program. Here, CCEI works to strengthen the support for the university’s top entrepreneurial teams and take them beyond business concepts and towards market readiness.
After this eight week accelerator, the teams present their final pitches and the top startups are selected to compete in the Wolff New Venture Competition; chosen on a basis of venture viability and value added to the market.
At the event, a panel of venture experts then decides which teams are worthy of the $50,000+ in awards funding.
The doors will open for the event at 5:30pm with beverages and appetizers. The program will begin promptly at 6pm.
RSVP Here
2023 Wolff New Venture Finalists:
Andros
Ammonia synthesis reactors that are cheaper, safer, and more energy efficient than the traditional reactor. Laron Burrows, PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering; George Bollas PhD, Faculty, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering; Jacob Crow, Undergraduate Student, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering
Feel Your Best Self
Offering caregivers fun, easy-to-use products to help kids build emotion-focused coping skills to calm themselves, catch their feelings, and connect with others. Sandy Chafouleas PhD, Faculty, Educational Psychology, Neag School of Education; Emily Wicks, Staff, Ballard Institute of Puppetry, School of Fine Arts
Mud Rat
The world’s first eco-friendly surfboard core. Amelia Martin, Graduate Student, Plant Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Particle N
A cost-effective way to use precious metals in catalysts and similar mechanisms. Al Kasani, PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering; Reiner Reichenberger, Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering; Michael Dunn, Undergraduate Student, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering
PUURE
An intimate apparel brand creating underwear made of organic and nontoxic materials that promote feminine wellness. Christina Phillips, Graduate Student, Business Administration, School of Business
Swipestorm
Swipestorm offers digital solutions for restaurant management, specifically tailored to quick-service restaurants. Their software suite replaces paper-based systems and generic software, and provides valuable insights for owners and managers. Nathan Catapano, Undergraduate Student, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The Wolff New Venture Competition is coordinated by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) at UConn. CCEI was founded in 2007, and is a focal point for entrepreneurial activity within the University. CCEI supports student, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs across all academic departments, schools, and colleges. For more info: ccei.uconn.edu
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Oct
23
Experience Innovation Expo 12:00pm
Experience Innovation Expo
Monday, October 23rd, 2023
12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Student Union
The Experience Innovation Expo (EIE) is an opportunity for UConn students to discover the wide range of programs, resources, and activities facilitating entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity at the university. It is an experiential venue where students will have hands on opportunities to explore what’s available to them. Students who have been involved with Werth Institute member offerings will showcase their results and provide their perspective and ideas to fellow students.
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Jan
30
Get Seeded Pitch Competition 6:00pm
Get Seeded Pitch Competition
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Have a business idea? Looking for seed funding to help you get started? Get Seeded provides UConn students across all schools the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a live virtual audience who then votes on which ideas are funded. Students that are selected to pitch have an opportunity to earn up to $1,000 in seed funding for their idea as well as support from other students who may be interested in joining their business venture.
Don’t have an idea yet? Not ready to pitch? Just want to watch other students pitch? Get Seeded pitch nights are open to the public and are a great way to network and connect!
Here’s how it works:
- Interested students can apply to pitch an idea at one of our “Shark Tank style” pitch nights
- Selected participants will then pitch their idea for 5 minutes at one of our virtual pitch nights to members of the audience
- At the end of the night, the audience votes for their favorite ideas
- The top 3 teams of the night will win $1,000, $750 and $500 respectively, in non-dilutive seed funding towards their new business venture or idea!
- In April, the top five teams from our pitch nights are invited to pitch at Demo Day, where teams can win up to $5,000 in seed funding!
2023-2024 Pitch Nights
- October 10, 2023 at 6pm
- November 2, 2023 at 6pm
- December 6, 2023 at 6pm
- January 30, 2023 at 6pm
- February 22, 2023 at 6pm
- March 20, 2023 at 6pm
- Demo Day: April 16, 5pm
Apply to pitch at Get Seeded HERE
Teams are selected up to one week prior to the pitch night.
RSVP to attend an upcoming pitch night HERE
Get Seeded Pitch Competitions are coordinated by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) at UConn. CCEI was founded in 2007, and is a focal point for entrepreneurial activity within the University. CCEI supports student, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs across all academic departments, schools, and colleges. For more info: ccei.uconn.edu







