CCEI’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program continues our quarterly Alumni Spotlight series with Abel Perez. Abel and his wife, Eva, are the owners and operators of Crooked Soul Tattoo in Plainville, Connecticut. Mehgan Williams, Program Coordinator for our EBV program, spoke with Abel last month and learned more about his passion for his employees, his […]
Accelerate UConn Propelus | October/November 2025
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is excited to recognize the October/November cohort of Accelerate UConn Propelus — the university’s National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps program dedicated to helping researchers explore the commercial potential of their innovations. Over the span of four fast-paced weeks, participants immersed themselves in entrepreneurial training designed to move […]
Accelerate UConn SBIR Propelus | September 2025
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is proud to celebrate the achievements of the participants in the September SBIR-themed cohort of our Accelerate UConn Propelus program. Over the course of this six-week initiative, part of UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) site, teams explored the commercialization potential of their technologies with […]
CCEI Impact Report (FY 2024-2025)
We are proud to present the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s annual Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 — a reflection of a year defined by growth, creativity, and progress. This report highlights the remarkable achievements of our entrepreneurial community and the meaningful ways CCEI has advanced innovation across UConn and beyond. What stands […]
Accelerate UConn Propelus | June/July 2025
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is proud to celebrate the achievements of the June/July cohort of the Accelerate UConn Propelus program. Over the course of this four-week initiative, as part of UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps site, participants gained critical skills and resources to explore the market potential of their […]
Meet The 2025 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp For Veterans (EBV) Cohort
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) is proud to present the 23 veterans and military spouses selected to participate in our annual Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program! Offered in three phases, EBV provides veterans with the skills necessary to successfully launch and grow a new business. Through online coursework, an intense on-campus […]
EBV Alumni Spotlight | Rachel Czmyr, EBV ’19
CCEI’s EBV program continues our quarterly Alumni Spotlight series with Rachel Czmyr. Rachel and her husband Stephen Budner are both Air Force Veterans. After 45 years of combined service, they, along with their 3 boys, made Ohio their final home and began their journey to founding ECOthrive Farms, LLC. Mehgan Williams, Program Coordinator for our […]
Accelerate UConn Propelus | April 2025
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is proud to celebrate the achievements of the April cohort of the Accelerate UConn Propelus program. Over the course of this four-week initiative, as part of UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps site, participants gained critical skills and resources to explore the market potential of their […]
The Power of Passion: Why It’s Essential When Starting a Business
Starting a business is an exhilarating journey, but it’s also one filled with challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties. One of the key factors that separates those who succeed from those who give up is passion. While strategy, funding, and market research are critical, passion is the fuel that keeps entrepreneurs moving forward when things get tough. […]
Accelerate UConn Propelus | February 2025
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is pleased to recognize the February cohort of the Accelerate UConn Propelus program for successfully completing the four-week initiative. As part of UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps site, this program is designed to equip early-stage ventures with the skills and resources needed to assess the […]