TRACTION WORKSHOPS
Open to: Undergraduate + Graduate Students, Alumni
Traction Workshops are a series of evening workshops throughout the academic year designed for anyone who wants to explore entrepreneurship — on their own terms and at their own pace. Each session focuses on a different topic and is led by industry experts, professors, guest speakers, and experienced entrepreneurs who bring firsthand knowledge to the conversation. Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, exploring an idea, or looking to build a specific skill, you can choose the topics that interest you, ask questions, and connect one-on-one with speakers for additional guidance.
Topics range from customer discovery and value propositions to pitching, business models, communication techniques and more. Join one workshop or come to all 12 — the choice is yours.
Still have questions after a workshop? Set up a follow-up meeting with one of our speakers for additional guidance.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
Twelve workshops will be offered each academic year to support entrepreneurs at various stages of building a business idea. These workshops will be led by experienced entrepreneurs, CCEI instructors, and UConn faculty — open to all.
MENTOR OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are hosted each week following each live workshop, and are available to only those who attended the virtual workshop(s). They are designed as an opportunity to dive deeper into a business idea on a one-on-one basis with the instructor.
FALL 2026 WORKSHOPS
Problem Solution Fit
September 22, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
rsvp here
In this workshop, we will be discussing the foundational principles of introducing a new product or service to market. We will analyze and discuss best practices for conducting customer discovery to hone in on actionable customer problem statements (and ultimately market insights) to maximize success potential when launching a startup.
Led by Leland Holcomb
Leland is a Sr. Innovation Specialist (AI) at CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, where he combines product management and innovation strategy expertise to develop and launch operational AI products. Over the past few years, his team has launched 10+ internal products while helping the organization respond to emerging threats and opportunities. Leland is also an entrepreneur-in-residence at CCEI, where he helps university-affiliated entrepreneurs conduct customer discovery and launch their businesses. Previously, he was Director of Business Development focused on technology at AdvanceCT helping technology companies grow and expand into and within Connecticut. Prior to joining AdvanceCT, Leland led Customer Success at Aureus Analytics, a venture backed insurtech company, was Head of Startup Investments (Scouting) for Startupbootcamp's Hartford Insurtech Hub accelerator, and was a Global Fellow at Patamar Capital.
Concept to Commercialization
October 21, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
rsvp here
Bringing a product from idea to impact is no small feat — but with the right roadmap, it’s possible. This workshop will walk you through the critical steps of moving from prototype development into full-scale manufacturing. FORGE, a leading resource for startups navigating the complex path from concept to commercialization, will discuss each stage, from market research and product validation to scaling up manufacturing operations. We’ll cover: prototyping, design for excellence (DFX), preparing for manufacturing readiness, and strategies for building a sustainable, efficient supply chain. You’ll also gain insights into why early-stage planning, risk management, and quality systems are vital for ensuring product success at scale.
Led by Scott Longley
Scott Longley is a Manufacturing Expert-in-Residence at FORGE with over 28 years of international operations experience. His expertise spans process engineering, production, and supply chain management, which he uses to advise startups as they scale. Scott has held roles at Fortune 100 companies like Apple, HP, and Sun Microsystems, managing global supply chains and manufacturing operations. He also co-founded a Net Zero Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) startup, where he designed its supply chain and manufacturing strategy.
Legal Basics for Startups
November 5, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
rsvp here
Starting a business comes with plenty of big questions — especially when it comes to the legal side of things. In this session, we’ll break down three key areas every entrepreneur should know about. First, we'll explore the pros, cons, and requirements in choosing your entity and governance documents — from partnerships and corporations to LLCs, nonprofits, and more. You’ll also learn what filings and documents come with each option. Next, we’ll tackle governance, including what founders need to know about their responsibilities to co-founders, investors, and others involved in the business. Finally, get hands-on with a legal audit and walk away knowing how to spot potential legal and contractual issues, and conduct an audit of a business yourself.
Led by Casey Faucon
Professor Casey Faucon is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she is the Director of the new Transactional Law Clinic. She and her law student attorneys provide pro bono transactional legal services and counseling to entrepreneurs, small businesses, creatives, student and professional athletes, non-profits, and community development organizations. Faucon was previously the founding Director of the Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Clinic at the University of Alabama School of Law. She has a B.A. from Rice University in Houston, TX, a J.D. from LSU Law, and an LLM from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she served as a Hastie Fellow. She also received an LL.M. in Clinical Pedagogy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she served as the Whiting Clinical Fellow in the Community Economic Development Clinic.
Communicating for Impact in Entrepreneurship
November 17, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
rsvp here
In this workshop, you’ll explore how practical storytelling techniques can help you communicate your ideas with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. Whether you’re pitching an idea, talking with a potential customer, connecting with a partner, or simply trying to get people excited about what you’re building, a strong story can make all the difference. You’ll learn how to shape your message, highlight what matters most, and keep your audience engaged from start to finish.
Led by Rory McGloin Ph.D.
Dr. Rory McGloin is an award-winning business communication professor at UConn. His career in higher education spans 17+ years, including engagements with over 10,000 learners to date and 35 peer-reviewed publications. He works closely with graduate students who are interested in organizational communication, professional development, and entrepreneurship. He also continues to share his passion with students in the classroom as he leads courses on professional and business communication for UConn’s top-ranked MBA and Executive MBA programs. In addition to this, Rory serves as the Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Communication & Research with CCEI. Rory’s current research is focused on the process of training and development, examining the influence of individual identities and values on perceptions of a program’s impact.
So You Have a Business Idea — Now What?
December 10, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
rsvp here
Do you have an idea but aren't sure what to do next? This interactive workshop will help you move from an idea to action. We'll explore how to identify the problem you're solving, understand who has that problem, test your assumptions, and create quick, low-cost ways to test the market before investing significant time or resources. You will leave with a clearer path forward and a concrete next step for exploring and testing your idea.
Led by Jennifer Mathieu
Jennifer Mathieu is the Executive Director of CCEI at UConn, where she leads initiatives advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development. With more than a decade of experience building programs, partnerships, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, she has helped CCEI become a nationally and internationally recognized hub for innovation, supporting more than 1,400 startups and entrepreneurs who have gone on to raise more than $2B in follow-on funding. She serves as the Instruction & Curriculum Lead for the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub and as a regional and national I-Corps instructor, helping researchers translate discoveries into real-world applications. Her leadership and impact has been widely recognized, including being honored as a part of CT Tech Council’s Women of Innovation, Hartford Business Journal’s Top Women in Business and a multi-time 40 Under 40 honoree.
If you have questions about this program, please contact Outreach & Engagement Coordinator Michaela Hartl at michaela.hartl@uconn.edu or Assistant Director of Brand & Venture Development Alycia Chrosniak at alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu.