The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is excited to announce the startups selected for the October cohort of Accelerate UConn Propelus, UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) site.
The four-week Propelus program offers immersive, hands-on training in the key elements of new venture creation, led by seasoned entrepreneurs and NSF-certified instructors. Participants receive personalized coaching and feedback, equipping them to build evidence-based business models and effective market entry strategies. Each team is also awarded a $1,500 grant to support customer discovery.
This cohort focuses on quantum and photonics technologies — fields at the forefront of innovation. With quantum technology advancing rapidly, the cohort prioritizes ventures addressing areas such as quantum computing, software and algorithms, sensing and metrology, detectors/sensors, encryption, optoelectronics, spectroscopy, imaging, and data processing.
The participants in this cohort include:
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Boober Company Innovations Hub — Quantum Project
Alison Boober (UConn SBA Member)
Quantum sensor technology.
Electric vehicles battery optimization using variational quantum algorithms
Nikhila Yeturi (Northwestern University)
With electric vehicles increasing every day, mining for lithium and nickel also increases — which leads to the depletion of resources. We can try controlling it by optimizing the battery of electric vehicles with the help of variational quantum algorithms, which helps in long-lasting battery life, more sustainable transportation, and less mining.
Photonic Circuit Integrated Ti:Sa Lasers
Yubo Wang (Yale University), Hong Tang (Yale University)
The Photonic Circuit Integrated Ti:Sa Laser is an innovative laser system that integrates a titanium-sapphire (Ti:Sa) gain medium with photonic circuits on a chip. This miniaturized laser system reduces the size and cost of traditional Ti:Sa lasers, while maintaining the ability to emit over a wide range of visible and near-infrared wavelengths. It is designed for applications in quantum computing, spectroscopy, and optoelectronics, offering high portability and low power consumption compared to conventional laboratory-based Ti:Sa lasers.
PhotonStance
Mariya Aleksich (University of Connecticut), James Hohman (University of Connecticut)
Currently, the three well-known generations of organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices typically consist of stacked, organic materials with the key color-defining layer consisting of various emitting organic molecules that are paired with a complementary matrix. The matrix allows for light to be produced when an electric current is applied. Our technology will utilize hybrid, two-dimensional materials as the emitting layer. By using these hybrid materials as the emissive layer in these devices, we offer an alternative of using one singular material as the layer instead of a combination of organic molecules with a complementary matrix base.
Super Linkers
Sanguthevar Rajasekaran (University of Connecticut), Joseph Johnson (University of Connecticut)
Given multiple datasets, the Record Linkage Problem is to cluster the records such that each cluster contains all the records of only one entity and no other records. The generic problem is to integrate information from different sources. Applications include e-commerce, healthcare, population data integration, law enforcement, state and federal data linkage, and frauds detection. Existing algorithms take a long time, and the accuracy needs improvement. We have invented a series of algorithms that outperform all the existing algorithms.
Quantum Scheduler Platform (SQS) for satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
Zakir Hossain (University of Connecticut), Monsura Begum (University of Connecticut)
The Quantum Scheduler Platform (SQS) is an advanced system designed to optimize the management of satellite resources used for secure communication. It ensures that satellites efficiently distribute cryptographic keys between different locations on Earth, providing highly secure communication for industries like finance, defense, and telecommunications. By using intelligent scheduling algorithms, the platform ensures fair access to satellite resources, preventing delays or bottlenecks, and helping organizations keep their communications safe and efficient. This technology simplifies the management of satellite networks, making secure global communication more reliable.
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Our team of knowledgeable program instructors this cohort includes Claire Zick, Leila Daneshmandi PhD, and Leland Holcomb.
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.