Accelerate UConn Propelus | September 2024

The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is pleased to announce the startups selected to participate in our Accelerate UConn Propelus program, UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps site. 

Each four-week Propelus program provides hands-on training in the fundamental components of new venture creation and is delivered by experienced entrepreneurs and NSF-trained instructors. Participants are provided with personalized coaching and feedback which will help them construct an evidence-based business model and market entry strategy. Participating teams receive a $1,500 customer discovery grant.

The following participants include:

SE Drop
Usama Sheikh (Graduate Student, ENG), Momal Tajwar
Molecular Distortion Technique (MDT) revolutionizes the way we approach wastewater by utilizing electricity to disintegrate pollutants at a molecular level.

Heart Pump
Estefany Toribio Castillo (Graduate Student, ENG), Dominic Flores (Graduate Student, ENG), Victor Jimenez-Santiago (Graduate Student, ENG), Mihai Duduta (Faculty, ENG)
A novel fluid transport system that leverages dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) allowing for efficient and precise control of fluid movement in a compact and flexible system, ideal for use in soft robots and wearable devices.

Inspection Robots
Sahib Sandhu (Graduate Student, ENG), Liam Wilson (Graduate Student, ENG), Van Remenar (Undergraduate Student, ENG), Mihai Duduta (Faculty, ENG)
A soft inspection robot for confined spaces that is flexible and has adaptable tools designed to navigate tight and tricky areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans to enter.

Mudder.AI
Gauthami Hanamakonda (Graduate Student, BUS), Tarek Kandakji (Yale University), Nadia Ahmad (Yale University)
We collect information in real time from weather forecasts, social media, satellite images, and devices and offer a unified view of the problem. Using predictive analytics, we predict possible impact zones, damage, and new resource needs so that people and supplies can be deployed ahead of time.

AINARA
Pia McGrath (Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain), Brian McGrath (Providence College)
A patent-pending, fine and functional necklace designed to lift up a woman's shirt while breastfeeding or pumping.

CheckUP
Dustin Rey Binalla (Undergraduate Student, ENG), Julian Hart (Undergraduate Student, ENG), Usman Ahmad (Undergraduate Student, ENG)
An app that employers can use to monitor and track their employee's mental health and well-being.

Mobile leg compression sleeve for lymphedema treatment
Ang Li, Hubert` Sliwka (Graduate Student, ENG), Mihai Duduta (Faculty, ENG)
Existing lymphedema sleeves rely on bulky electronics and pumps, restricting patient mobility during treatment, and generating loud noise. We propose a quiet, low-profile, wearable solution powered by thermal memory alloy, paired with lightweight control circuitry.

SafeLab
Danial Ezzati (Graduate Student, SFA)
An interactive platform designed to educate lab staff and scholars by simulating safety training for advanced technology equipment.

Eco Dry
Masoud Ahmadi
An innovative drying technology designed to significantly reduce energy consumption in industrial wood drying processes.

Provential
Alex Bridgemohan (PhD Candidate, CLAS), Paris Thalassinos (Alumni, ENG), Al Armstrong
A smart learning algorithm that will enable users to determine authentic or inauthentic/fake timepieces.

Golf Share
Matthew Peoples (Union College)
An app that aims to democratize access to high-quality golf courses and enhance the overall experience for golfers of all skill levels.

The Peer Mentor
Shasmitha vani Kombaiah (Wright State University), Sarvesha Kumar Kombaiah Seetha (Harrisburg University of Science and Technology), Gokulnaath Govindaraj (Wright State University), Sardor Urinov (Wright State University), Nishant Talra (Wright State University)
An AI driven platform for international students to find housing options.

Our team of knowledgeable program instructors this cohort includes Claire Zick, Leila Daneshmandi PhD, and Tony Frontera.

In 2024, UConn joined The NSF Innovation Corps (I-CorpsTM) Northeast Hub. The hub is part of a nationwide NSF-funded network of universities formed to accelerate the economic impact of federally funded research – delivering benefits in health care, the environment, technology and other areas – while building skills and opportunities among researchers from all backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in entrepreneurship. Learn more about the hub at icorpsnortheasthub.org, or visit our program page at ccei.uconn.edu/accelerate-uconn.

For inquiries about Accelerate UConn, email alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu.