WOLFF NEW VENTURE COMPETITION
Our annual Wolff New Venture Competition is the premier event of UConn’s innovation ecosystem, bringing together its most elite startups and the largest, most energized audience of founders, investors, alumni, and supporters. It’s where the university’s top ventures take the stage — and where big ideas meet big opportunities.
The journey begins in March, when ten startups are selected by an independent panel to join CCEI’s Summer Accelerator. Over eight intensive weeks in June and July, these ventures refine their business models, validate their markets, and build real traction. By the end of the program, only the most promising ventures advance to compete in the Wolff New Venture Competition, chosen for their viability and potential to create meaningful impact.
At the main event each October, finalists pitch live to a panel of expert judges for a share of $150,000 in non-dilutive funding, including a $40,000 grand prize. But it’s more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of innovation. The event also features a dynamic startup showcase, where UConn alumni return to demo products, connect with the community, and compete for additional prizes.
Congratulations to the 2026 Wolff New Venture Competition Winner: AccessFlora
AccessFlora took home the grand prize at the 2026 Wolff New Venture Competition for its innovative approach to sustainable oyster farming. Founded by Keegan Jalbert ’23 (CLAS) ’27 MS, the startup is developing a proprietary omega-3 aquafeed that helps oysters grow larger and healthier in controlled, land-based environments. By using microalgae to convert vinegar into DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, AccessFlora offers a new way to raise oysters without relying entirely on unpredictable ocean conditions. The technology has the potential to make oyster production more resilient while opening doors to new sources of omega-3 for enriched foods in the future.
PREVIOUS WOLFF NEW VENTURE COMPETITION WINNERS:
SeaSolTec | 2025 Winner
Co-founded by Dr. Yidan Zhang, Dr. Mingyu Qiao, and Jonathan McGee, SeaSolTec is developing compostable food packaging made from seaweed. Its technology uses a simple coating process to transform paper into a plastic alternative for food-service products like sandwich wrappers, donut bags, and pizza packaging. The tasteless, scentless coasting offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic-lined paper wrappers.
Read more about SeaSolTec.
Soleia Biosciences | 2024 Winner
Soleia Biosciences is a pharmaceutical startup working to improve post-surgical pain management without relying on opioids. Co-founded by Lakshmi Nair, Ph.D., and Yusuf Khan, Ph.D., the company is developing an injectable treatment designed to extend the effectiveness of local anesthetics and provide longer-lasting pain relief. The team is initially focused on helping patients recover from orthopedic surgeries, including hip and knee replacements, while reducing the risks associated with opioid use, such as addiction and unwanted side effects.
Read more about Soleia Biosciences.
Feel Your Best Self | 2023 Winner
Co-founded by Sandy Chafouleas, a UConn Neag School of Education professor and school psychologist, and Emily Wicks, Feel Your Best Self was developed during the pandemic to help children better understand and manage their emotions. Through videos featuring three puppet friends, the company teaches practical coping strategies while encouraging connection, creativity, and joyful learning. The program is designed to be easy for educators and caregivers to use, with evidence that children continue using the strategies long after lessons end.
Read more about Feel Your Best Self.
Lactation Innovations | 2022 Winner
Co-founded by UConn alumna Jayme Coates ’07 MS, ’10 MBA, and Brittany Molkenthin ’17 NUR, Lactation Innovations developed the Manoula Sensor to help parents understand how much milk their baby is consuming during breastfeeding. The small, noninvasive device uses infrared technology to estimate milk intake by measuring protein from breast milk in the baby’s stomach, with results accessible through a mobile device. Inspired by Coates’ own experience discovering that her newborn was not receiving enough nutrition, the company aims to give parents greater peace of mind.
Read more about Lactation Innovations.
ProVelocity Bat | 2021 Winner
Founded by UConn senior Elijah Taitel ’22, ProVelocityBat developed a training bat featuring a sliding “power barrel” that releases into the impact position when a batter reaches the desired swing speed. The bat provides immediate, audible feedback, helping athletes recognize when they achieve the right swing mechanics and build more effective training habits. Inspired by his own frustrations with improving as a high school baseball player, Taitel created the device to give athletes a more accessible way to develop their skills.
Read more about ProVelocity Bat.
Pisces Atlantic | 2020 Winner
Founded by UConn student Peter Goggins ’21, an environmental science major, Pisces Atlantic developed an innovative fish food made primarily from dehydrated vegetables and insects. Goggins created the formula after recognizing concerns about conventional fish feed, including questionable ingredients, nutritional quality, and the environmental damage caused by sourcing ingredients from the ocean. After moving production from his parents’ home into a manufacturing facility in East Hartford, he was focused on scaling the business and bringing his alternative feed to a broader market.
Read more about Pisces Atlantic.
Phoenix Tailings | 2019 Winner
Co-founded by CEO Nicholas Myers and Michael Martin ’17 (ENG) ’19 MS, Phoenix Tailings developed technology to extract useful materials from red mud, a toxic byproduct of alumina production that poses significant environmental risks. Rather than allowing this waste to accumulate in massive storage ponds, Phoenix Tailings aims to turn it into a new source of metals used in electronics, automobiles, defense, and manufacturing. The company’s approach also offers an opportunity to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on materials sourced from other countries.
Read more about Phoenix Tailings.
Bastion Health | 2018 Winner
Developed by UConn biomedical engineering doctoral candidates Stephanie Knowlton and Reza Amin, Bastion Health (formerly QRfertile) uses micrafluidics to analyze semen samples and measure male fertility without requiring a visit to a clinic. The idea grew from the team’s research into how fluid-handling technology could be applied to everyday health needs, addressing a gap in the market for convenient male fertility testing.
Read more about Bastion Health.
Simvize | 2017 Winner
Led by Kostyantyn Partola, a graduate student in UConn Engineering, and Dr. George Lykotrafitis, Simvize developed a device designed to help physicians measure patients’ blood viscosity, a traditionally un-used, but promising indicator of cardiac risk, and health for patients on dialysis and certain types of cancers.
Read more about Simvize.
LamdaVision | 2016 Winner
Founded by Nicole Wagner ’07 (CLAS), ’13 Ph.D., LambdaVision is developing an artificial retina that uses a light-activated protein to help restore visual function in people with degenerative eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The protein is grown and purified in a laboratory, then assembled into a thin film designed to replace the function of damaged photoreceptor cells in the retina.
Read more about LambdaVision.
PREVIOUS FINALISTS
2026
AccessFlora: A sustainable aquaculture company with a proprietary aquafeed for raising oysters in purified water. While current oyster supply is limited by coastal access and unpredictable ocean conditions, we are removing uncertainty and bringing fresh oysters wherever there's demand. Learn More.
Babsy: A children's oral healthcare company. Our customizable kids’ toothbrush, Build-A-Brush, lets children personalize their brushing experience — turning a daily routine into something fun, creative, and exciting. By putting the power in kids’ hands, Babsy hopes to build healthier brushing habits that last a lifetime. Learn More.
ChromaShield: A medical device startup advancing accessible, proactive care. Our flagship product is a smart wearable patch that detects and monitors early signs of skin inflammation and complications during radiation therapy, bridging the gap between at-home monitoring and clinical care. Learn More.
EVA: A smart sensing pad that turns menstrual fluid into real-time reproductive health insights, helping women understand changes in their bodies and identify potential health risks earlier. Learn More.
SEAWELL: A premium, non-alcoholic sparkling beverage optimized for the coastal boating lifestyle. We deliver functional hydration with electrolytes from real coconut water and 20%+ real juice at 35 calories with no added sugar. Learn More.
2025
404 Inc.: Reinventing medical imaging with safe, plant-based contrast agents that eliminate toxic metals without compromising clarity. Learn More.
Cena Health (formerly MLC Nutrition): The first clinic that prescribes healthy meals and whole-person care to improve health outcomes and stay out of the hospital. Learn More.
Orbit Crates: An AI-powered toy rental subscription company that helps parents reduce clutter, save money, and increase intentional, novel play by renting toys instead of owning them. Learn More.
SeaSolTec: Converting seaweed into a functional coating that makes food packaging compostable and high-performance at an affordable cost, using our proprietary one-step process. Learn More.
Varda 5: OBLS is Varda 5's simulation-based training program that prepares healthcare teams to respond effectively to maternal medical and delivery emergencies. Learn More.
2024
Atlas: An all-natural edible coating from sustainably-farmed seaweed that reduces food loss and spoilage in the supply chains of highly perishable commodities. Learn More.
Happy Dinosaur: A licensable character franchise that combines the spirit of adventure and creativity through children's storytelling. Learn More.
Soleia Biosciences: A pharmaceutical company that has developed a long-acting medication to manage pain related to surgery, injury, or chronic disease to improve a patient’s quality of life without the need for opioids. Learn More.
Vamos: A travel platform designed for remote teams to simplify the complexities of group travel. Learn More.
WheelPrice: A two-sided marketplace for car enthusiasts to buy and sell automotive parts on the second-hand market. Learn More.
2023
Andros: Ammonia synthesis reactors that are cheaper, safer, and more energy efficient than the traditional reactor. Learn More.
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. Learn More.
Mud Rat: The world’s first eco-friendly surfboard core. Learn More.
Particle N: A cost-effective way to use precious metals in catalysts and similar mechanisms. Learn More.
PUURE: An intimate apparel brand creating underwear made of organic and nontoxic materials that promote feminine wellness. Learn More.
Swipestorm: Offering 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. Learn More.
2022
Appoint: Software that removes the burdens of overly complicated nursing clinical schedules and the stress of creating them. Learn More.
Genesist: An RNA-based reagent that can make the healthy tissue surrounding a tumor in patients' body more resistive against breast cancer metastasis.
Lactation Innovations: Providing critical insights of how much breastmilk an infant has ingested, while increasing the mother's confidence in breastfeeding. Learn More.
RiboDynamics: Aiming to develop technology for the detection of pathogens in biological material based on the presence of specific RNA biomarkers. Learn More.
ShadeSnap: Giving prescription glasses the ability to tint and un-tint on demand. Learn More.
2021
Queen Bee: An all-natural beverage made by mixing royal jelly from beehives with ginger and turmeric. Learn More.
ELEA (Engagement Solutions): Offering a lifeline to families trying to access special education services. Learn More.
ProVelocityBat: A new iteration and invention in baseball training. Learn More.
InPrint Bio: Offering a reconstructive breakthrough after breast surgery. Learn More.
Reactomol: Striving to simplify pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce toxic waste. Learn More
2020
Junity: A nonprofit that aims to be a connection point between underprivileged youth and guidance counselors with educational, employment and mentorship programs. Learn More.
SedMed: Creating a toilet lift assist device to help the elderly and disabled get on and off the toilet. Learn More.
onewith: A bathing suit brand that provides a smoothing, second-skin fit with the feel of seamless undergarments. Learn More.
Pisces Atlantic: Fish food based on the belief that the fish people consume should be fed healthy ingredients. Learn More.
Veradermics: A revolutionary treatment that eliminates warts by delivering precise wart-busting medication via a micro-needle patch similar to a bandage. Learn More.
2019
Aqualumos (formerly Geyser Remediation): A remediation system that breaks down PFAS in drinking water. Learn More.
Land Maverick: A soil-sampling rover that can test soil moisture, pH, and overall nutrient level creating precise and organized measurements to maintain soil quality. Learn More.
Levo International: Sustainable produce for suburban families and using the proceeds to increase food stability in other countries through a self-contained growing system. Learn More.
Nami Therapeutics: Providing advanced cancer treatments to fulfill the unmet needs of patients, partnering with pharmaceutical companies to minimize product-toxicity while maximizing effectiveness. Learn More.
Phoenix Tailings: Recycling industrial mining waste, producing usable material for other industries. Learn More.
2018
Encapsulate: A diagnosis device to determine personalized treatment for cancer. Learn More.
MycoZap: A plant-derived antimicrobial treatment for illness in cattle caused by microplasma bovis.
Bastion Health (formerly QRFertile): An in-home device to measure male fertility. Learn More.
Stemify.AI (formerly Savkar.AI): A predictive analytics platform for student retention in STEM fields.
WellTech: Tablet application to assist healthcare providers in collecting patient information to improve quality measurement.
2017
Eir Medical Devices: Developing a device designed to help physicians measure patients’ blood viscosity, a traditionally un-used, but promising indicator of cardiac risk, and health for patients on dialysis and certain types of cancers.
Hans Health: Developing a new way to provide doctors with information about the specific type of mutations causing an individual patient’s form of cancer. Learn More.
NataSure: Developing a device that will replace in the treatment of cervical insufficiency, a condition that causes prevent premature birth due and miscarriage.
Potentiometric Probes: Creating a voltage-sensitive dye that can help medical researchers and pharmaceutical companies study electrical conductivity in cells, and test for dangerous cardiac side effects while new prescription drugs are in development. Learn More.
Quantum Purification: Developing a filtration process to help producers of biogas – a renewable natural gas – remove damaging and toxic byproducts more cost efficiently than current solutions that limit its production and adoption as a reliable form of alternative energy.
2016
Eleframes: Free-form, interlocking, easy-to-mount and remove photograph displays that makes story-telling beautiful.
EVA Systems: Measuring contaminant levels in water using a process called “passive sampling” that provides a better picture of the overall health of the body of water and with faster, more consistent results.
LambdaVision: Developing a protein-based retinal implant for the treatment of blinding degenerative diseases. Learn More.
Oral Fluid Dynamics: Developed to solve the medical problem of dry mouth through the use of an artificial salivary gland that is implanted in the mouth of the patient.
Protectiscope: Improving stethoscope hygiene in healthcare settings using a wall-mounted dispenser that houses a film roll applied via hands-free application.
The Wolff New Venture Competition is proudly supported by:
The Wolff Prize is made possible through the generosity of the Wolff Family and their longstanding commitment to UConn, the School of Business, and the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. That commitment began with Thomas John Wolff (1928–2008) and Bette Wolff (1929–2026), whose belief in entrepreneurship and education established a lasting legacy at UConn. Today, their children, Greg Wolff, Gary Wolff, and Deb Davis, and grandchildren, Keith Wolff and Kristina Singh, remain actively involved in supporting the Prize and creating opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
If you are a company/organization interested in partnering or sponsoring this annual event, or are a UConn-affiliated startup interested in tabling during the showcase, please email alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu.