Entrepreneurship

UConn is dedicated to unleashing the solutions to major challenges for tomorrow’s citizens, and supporting trailblazing businesses is key to achieving that goal.

As one of the nation’s top 25 public universities, UConn is actively engaged in promoting entrepreneurship and commercial ventures as part of its mission. Here to drive the future of innovation, enterprising students, faculty, and businesses alike can tap into a variety of resources, from our Technology Incubation Program (TIP) to the Learning Community Innovation Zone and beyond. UConn supports every aspect of innovation and business development, from the research that breeds new inventions to connecting entrepreneurs with funding resources and training.

Company Man And College Student

By their sophomore year in high school, Ben Grosse ’21 (BUS) and his good friend Bharat Pulgam had amassed an impressive collection of broken earbuds. But their parents were less than impressed at the bills for replacement sets. Now co-owner and sales director of the $100,000-a-year company, Grosse, 18, recently shared the story of his business journey with students at UConn’s new Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (formerly the NextGen Residence Hall).

Read on UConn Today

Experience Innovation Expo

Thank you to everyone who helped make The Werth Institute's first Experience Innovation Expo a great success! Over 250 students attended, with over 40 entrepreneurship and innovation programs represented, and 26 competition entries submitted.

A review committee led by CTSBDC (CT Small Business Development Center) reviewed the applications and selected the following winners:

First Place: Juan (Freddy) Santiago for Campus Event Service.

Second Place: Chris D’Antonio for Fresh Food on Campus.

Third Place: Caroline Warren for Improved Campus Security

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Photos courtesy of Cat Boyce