As the semester comes to a close, student entrepreneurs at the University of Connecticut are celebrating their achievements and showcasing their innovations in a final pitch event. On Monday, April 22, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) courses for Spring 2024 culminated in a day of presentations and pitches. This two-part series is a collaboration between the College of Engineering and the School of Business, providing students with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills and bring their ideas to life.
Leading the course is Dr. Leila Daneshmandi, Assistant Professor in Residence of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering and Director of the Entrepreneurship Hub (eHub). Alongside her is Professor Sam Nanayakkara, a serial entrepreneur with expertise in startup operations and digital technology, who serves as an adjunct professor within the School of Business. Together, they guide students from various disciplines, including Engineering, Business, and Nursing, through the process of building technology-enabled ventures.
This year, the TIE courses welcomed nursing students into the program through a partnership with the Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center. The diverse group of students presented a range of innovative ventures, including Green Grid Farms, Puppy Palace, Transplant Rescue, KLAD, eKardia, and Alevia Pharma OraSpray. These ventures address pressing issues and require significant innovation to drive change in their respective fields.
The final pitch event was judged by a panel of industry experts and professionals, including Engineering Associate Dean Leslie Shor, Connecticut Invention Convention Executive Director Nick Briere, Nursing Visiting Professor Tiffany Kelley, and others. The judges evaluated the student ventures based on their creativity, feasibility, and potential impact on the market.
In addition to the student presentations, the event featured young inventors from the K-12 space, thanks to the Connecticut Invention Convention. These budding entrepreneurs showcased their inventions, such as the Bucket Unstucker, CocoPure filtration device, and a 3D printed Play-Doh tool. The judges were impressed by the creativity and ingenuity of these young inventors, offering them feedback and encouragement to further develop their projects.
Furthermore, the audience had the opportunity to learn about top student ventures that have emerged from past TIE courses, such as ParticleN, Genesist, and Toribio Labs Zemi Platforms. These ventures have made significant strides in the entrepreneurial landscape, demonstrating the impact of the TIE courses in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
Dean Kazem Kazerounian of the College of Engineering commended the faculty and staff for their dedication to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation within the university. He emphasized the importance of inspiring students to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and positioning the College as a hub for innovation.
For students interested in exploring technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship courses at the College of Engineering, the Entrepreneurship Hub offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines. The success of the TIE courses and the ventures presented at the final pitch event highlight the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students.
In conclusion, the final pitch event for the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship courses at the University of Connecticut was a celebration of student achievements, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. The diverse range of ventures presented showcased the talent and dedication of the students, while the feedback from industry experts and professionals provided valuable insights for their future endeavors. As the semester comes to a close, the legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship continues to thrive within the university community, inspiring the next generation of student entrepreneurs.
