About CCEI
CCEI inspires a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across all academic disciplines throughout UConn by offering programs that support new venture development, teaching courses that engage students in innovation and new technologies, and connecting the University with the greater entrepreneurial ecosystem within Connecticut.
Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI), established in 2007, is identified as an area of strength by the University and vital to the state and national economy, the School of Business, and the University, as a whole.
CCEI is committed to the University of Connecticut’s Core Values of Innovation, Leadership, Global Engagement, and Diversity. As part of one of the United States’ leading public universities, we benefit from the academic background, strength in numbers, and geographic positioning of the various populations we work with.
CCEI categorizes its offerings into five main groupings:
1. Venture Support
Supporting entrepreneurs and innovators across the University of Connecticut by providing funding, programs, and mentorship to help accelerate their ventures.
2. Entrepreneurship Education
Growing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders through academic courses that engage students in innovation in emerging technologies.
3. Experience Entrepreneurship
Experiential learning and internship programs that engage students with startups and small businesses in Connecticut.
4. Connectivity
Fostering a diverse and collaborative community of students, faculty, and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators, all while supporting the greater entrepreneurship ecosystem within the State.
5. Research & Teaching
Propagating thought leadership in entrepreneurship and innovation through funding research and teaching projects, and organizing research seminars and events of consequence to business and society.
Our Team

Jennifer Mathieu
Executive Director

Rory McGloin
Assistant Director of Communication & Program Development

Michelle Cote
Lead Instructor
Director, Launc[H]artford

Alycia Chrosniak
Program Specialist & Marketing Coordinator
alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu

Rachel Borden

Maureen Cappetto
Awards & Database Coordinator
maureen.cappetto@uconn.edu

Michaela Hartl
Program Assistant
michaela.hartl@uconn.edu

Mehgan Williams
Program Assistant
mehgan.williams@uconn.edu

Marketing Assistant

Timothy Folta
Academic Director
John and Bette Wolff Chair in Strategic Entrepreneurship
Professor of Management

Caroline Dealy
Faculty Lead, NSF I-Corps Program
Professor, School of Medicine

Scott Kozak
Instructor, Biomedical Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur In Residence

John Hoffert
Instructor, Accelerate UConn
Startup Advisor

Mike Kalen
Instructor, InsurTech Venturing

Alice Nichols
Instructor, Accelerate UConn
Startup Advisor

Leland Holcomb
Instructor, Traction & InsurTech Experiential Learning
Entrepreneur In Residence

Robin Bienemann

Julia Yakovich

Michael Zacchea (1968-2022)
Director, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans Program

Lisa Ducharme
Instructor, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans
Entrepreneur In Residence

Udith Ashok
Graduate Assistant

Syeda Tazeen Fatima
Graduate Assistant
Student Ambassadors

Arianna Saxton
Entrepreneurship and Digital Communication
Class of 2022

Alex Grant
English
Class of 2022

Hannah Resnick
Business Management
Class of 2022

Rachel Ayers

Saige Ouellet
Communications
Class of 2023

Raymond Ollivierre
Digital Media and Design
Class of 2023

Kristina DeMichiel
Digital Media Design and Psychology
Class of 2025