About Traction
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation launched this program to support UConn-affiliated startup ideas as they work to validate the concept. Participants will learn the key elements of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and the lean startup methodology. Participants will engage in customer discovery efforts that will allow them to better understand the market they are entering and the value they plan to provide to key stakeholders in the process.
Applications are now open for the Spring 2022 Cohort.
The application deadline is February 25, 2022.
Program Specialist
Fall 2021 Program Dates:
Webinar 1- November 2, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 2- November 9, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 3- November 16, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 4- November 30, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 5- December 7, 2021 from 1-3pm
Spring 2022 Program Dates:
Webinar 1- March 8, 2022 from 1-3pm
Webinar 2- March 22, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 3- March 29, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 4- April 5, 2021 from 1-3pm
Webinar 5- April 12, 2021 from 1-3pm
Participants will:
- Learn the most critical elements of the Business Model Canvas
- Develop a greater knowledge of the market they plan to enter and the path to entry
- Understand the individual customer segments they plan to serve and the value that they will provide to them
- Create a plan for next step resources and milestones that need to be achieved
Participant Expectations
- At least one member of your team will attend all scheduled program meetings (kickoff, webinars, and program wrap-up) as well as making an effort to participate in one-on-one office hours with mentors/instructors
- Participants will actively engage in the program and complete all suggested tasks as outlined by the program instructional team
Program Participants
Collision Avoidance Safety System (CASS) - Hritish Bhargava, School of Engineering
Inspirational Planner to Support Mental Health - Allie Davenport, School of Business
iThink Beauty - Ashaki Reid, CAHNR
UComm - Christine Hall, Richard Loricco, Edward Szalan, and Monisha Jain, School of Business
Co-Learn - Angela Rodriguez, School of Business
Kona Brand - Zac Will, School of Business
Underground Cookies – Bryce Bisset, School of Engineering
Frontlines - Sameer Laul, Sahil Laul, andAziz Sandhu (Alumni), College of Liberal Arts and Science
AirCannon - Jack Baumgartel, School of Engineering
BeeWell - Raina Jain, School of Engineering
BeRemote - Vivek Nigam (Alumni), Rahul Sinha (Alumni), and Micky Chhabda, School of Business
Meet the Team
Jennifer Mathieu
Director
Leland Holcomb
Lead Instructor
Entrepreneur In Residence
Alycia Chrosniak
Program Specialist