Inspiring innovative impact.
Welcome to the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) – where ideas come to life! Since 2007, we’ve been leading the charge as UConn’s hub for all things entrepreneurial, building on the groundbreaking efforts started by the Wolff Family back in the mid-1980s.
We’ve come a long way since then, evolving our programs to spark bold ideas, nurture new ventures, and fuel innovative thinking. At CCEI, it’s all about the people — our vibrant community, our knack for effective collaboration, and our shared passion for growth and learning.
Together, we’re creating a culture of entrepreneurship that resonates across UConn, Connecticut, and beyond.
Ready to make an impact? Whether you’re brimming with a game-changing idea or want to help champion the next wave of innovators, we’re here for you. Let’s shape the future of entrepreneurship and innovation together!
READ OUR 2025-26 IMPACT REPORT
IN THE NEWS
- Undergraduates Create a New Method to Help Warn of Skin Damage During Radiation Therapy September 23, 2026UConn Today – When patients are undergoing radiation therapy for cancer, one of the unwelcome side effects is skin damage, including redness, dryness, tingling, swelling, and peeling. Radiation dermatitis can progress to more severe skin injury and may contribute to treatment disruptions and reduced quality of life. In its most extreme form, dermatitis can cause... […]Claire Hall
- UConn Dentist Develops Customizable Toothbrush to Encourage Kids to Brush Better, Longer September 10, 2026UConn Today – When his patients’ parents would tell Dr. Dante Paolino that they had trouble coaxing their children to brush their teeth, he was admittedly a bit judgmental. Then he and his wife had their own children, and the pediatric dentist’s whole perspective changed. “My kids employed some classic stalling tactics, like throwing themselves... […]Claire Hall
- UConn Student Justin Fargo Went from Family iPhone-Fixer to Small Business Cybersecurity Champion September 9, 2026UConn Today – In the last year, Justin Fargo ‘28 has created a new cybersecurity and compliance firm to help small- and medium-sized companies meet the requirements needed to become U.S. government contractors. “I really think people should know that just because you’re a college student and you have a lot of obligations, you can... […]Claire Hall
"To gain the advice of expert mentors who are in the consumer products industry was incredible. Some of the best advice I received is that people connect with people, not things. Although a product should be great, people are largely influenced by the story behind it as well. I am still working on incorporating storytelling into the brand, but I’ve realized the importance of this through CCEI's Summer Accelerator."
RAINA JAIN
Founder, Queen Bee + HiveGuard
Wolff New Venture Competition Finalist '21
“The EBV program really was life changing. I came into it knowing just enough about starting a business to be dangerous. The EBV program helped me to connect the pieces of what I’d learned. The average person who has a great business idea doesn’t think about the cash-flow analysis and attracting the right stream of customers through a targeted marketing plan. I felt like I earned a mini MBA.”
JASON OTRIN
Founder, On Course Drones
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans '17
"I encourage and recommend anyone looking at starting a business to apply to CCEI’s offerings. The programs were rigorous and really challenged our company to ‘pressure test’ our business model, which is not always comfortable. By the time we left the accelerator, we had regulatory consultants, legal counsel, accounting services, and a structure on how to make a really solid grant."
NICOLE WAGNER PH.D.
Co-Founder, LambdaVision
CCEI Summer Accelerator ‘16
“[EBV] dips your toes into the water in every area of business, ensuring that we all have a solid foundation in which to start, and reference back to as needed. From patents, accounting, bookkeeping, how to present our business, mental health, sales, marketing and IT; the course is comprehensive, well-choreographed and well-executed. In just a week, we were confident we had gained the footing every entrepreneur is desperately searching for.”
TONY AUDETTE
Founder, Audette Motorcycles
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
“The EMP results gave me a clear picture of my current mindset, and helped me identify what my strengths and weaknesses are as an entrepreneur. I have become more self-aware and realistic with my capabilities, which helped me work to improve certain skills. Also, this assessment helped me identify the key characteristics needed in potential team members that would complement my skillset within my business.”
CHRISTINA PHILLIPS
Founder, Puure
Wolff New Venture Competition Finalist '23