Venture Development
Supporting entrepreneurs and innovators across UConn by providing funding, programs, and mentorship to help accelerate their ventures.
Get Seeded Pitch Nights
Have an innovative idea that could be the next big thing? Need a spark to help an idea evolve?
Get Seeded provides students with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an audience of their peers. Selected teams have an opportunity to pitch and earn up to $1,000 in seed funding, offered multiple times each academic semester. Students that do not yet have ideas, or who are not ready to pitch are invited to attend and vote on the current pitches!
Traction Workshops
Offered each semester to support foundational venture knowledge.
Traction Workshops are a unique opportunity to help aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups move their ideas forward. Open to anyone interested in the topics of entrepreneurship, this series of virtual workshops provides participants with hands-on guidance in developing a strong foundation of knowledge. Whether you have a concept in its earliest stages — or no idea at all, these workshops aim to empower you to learn about entrepreneurship on your own terms.
Accelerate UConn: NSF I-Corps Program
Hands-on training in the fundamental components of new venture creation!
Accelerate UConn is UConn’s National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program. Its mission is to catalyze entrepreneurial teams whose technology concepts are likely candidates for commercialization. Participating teams will receive an introduction to the most critical elements of the I-Corps Curriculum and Lean Launchpad methodology. With the support of Accelerate UConn, teams will learn first-hand about entrepreneurship and explore the transition of their ideas, devices, processes, new scientific discoveries or other intellectual activities into the marketplace.
Summer Accelerator
Launch your business in this eight-week entrepreneurial experience!
The top startups from across UConn are selected to participate in Summer Accelerator, which takes place three times a week over eight weeks. Participants develop the skills needed to bring new products, services, and technologies to market. Each team receives 1:1 coaching and mentorship from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs. Teams are provided with pro bono legal, accounting, banking, branding, and product development services to help with initial business setup and support.
The Wolff New Venture Competition
Featuring the premiere startups coming out of UConn each year.
After Summer Accelerator, five top startups are selected to compete in this annual competition, chosen on a basis of venture viability and value added to the market. A panel of venture experts decides which team deserves the $30K Wolff New Venture Prize, and the multiple other awards accompanying it!
Discover Other Program Sectors
- Venture Development: Supporting entrepreneurs and innovators across UConn by providing funding, programs, and mentorship to help accelerate their ventures. Programs and spaces under this pillar include: Get Seeded, Traction Workshops, The Founder's Lounge @ CCEI, Accelerate UConn, Summer Accelerator, and the Wolff New Venture Competition.
- Entrepreneurial Communication: These courses and programs engage students with startups and small businesses in Connecticut. Areas under this pillar include: BUILD Hartford Course, The Collaboratory @ CCEI, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.
- Additional Initiatives: Fostering a diverse and collaborative community of students, faculty, and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators, all while supporting the greater entrepreneurship ecosystem within the state. Programs and spaces under this pillar include: Student Ambassador Program, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program, Mentor Network, and Entrepreneurship Internship Program.