UConn’s Werth Institute Recognized for Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education

June 16, 2021

UConn Today – From business to nutritional sciences, engineering to the arts, the Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has distinguished itself as a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment where all UConn students can find an opportunity to learn, connect, and innovate alongside their entrepreneurially minded peers and with the help of seasoned educators and mentors.

CCEI Helps 10 UConn-Affiliated Startups Grow, Prepare to Impact the World

June 9, 2021

Elijah Taitel (above) showing off his creation, the ProVelcocity Bat. Elijah's startup is one of ten selected to participate in the 2021 CCEI Summer Fellowship. (contributed photo)
Elijah Taitel (above) showing off his creation, the ProVelcocity Bat. Elijah’s startup is one of ten selected to participate in the 2021 CCEI Summer Fellowship. (contributed photo)

Senior Elijah Taitel loves baseball, and has spent the last few years creating the ProVelocity Bat, a unique training device designed to improve the swing of everyone from Little Leaguers to MLB players.

Sophomore Raina Jain’s passion revolves around the environment, and, more specifically honey bees. Her Queen Bee startup is preparing to sell an immunity- boosting beverage that contains honey and other all-natural ingredients.

Although their startups are vastly different, their business drive is well aligned. The two aspiring entrepreneurs began an eight-week entrepreneurship program this week, offered by the School of Business’ Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI). They are joined by eight other business teams.Continue Reading

UConn’s Real Estate Program Ranked #3 in the World

June 3, 2021

Hartford, Connecticut, USA downtown cityscape
(istockphoto.com)

The Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies is ranked among the Top 3 programs worldwide in research excellence, and boasts two of the most productive contributors to prestigious real-estate academic journals.

The Journal of Real Estate Literature ranked real estate programs based on the number of research articles accepted by the top three academic journals in the industry between 2016 and 2020. UConn had previously ranked Number 7.Continue Reading

Master’s Degree in FinTech Is Latest Big Innovation at School of Business

May 25, 2021

In a recent newsletter, I announced the launch of a new, Online MBA program at UConn. The program goes live this fall, and we have almost 40 applications under review, and another 53 in process.

Today I am pleased to announce another innovation, the launch of a Master of Science degree in FinTech. Our UConn Board of Trustees approved this program on April 28. This graduate degree will prepare people to participate in the rapidly changing intersection of finance, technology, and analytics. Continue Reading

Santander Bank Supports Initiatives to Benefit Minority Students, Minority-Owned Businesses

May 24, 2021

Wilbur Cross at sunset.
(Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

Santander Bank, N.A., through its Santander Universities program (“Santander”), has awarded a $100,000 grant to the UConn Foundation, to support initiatives that will benefit both minority business students and minority-owned small businesses.

The grant marks a new relationship between UConn and Santander, one of the country’s largest retail and commercial banks.Continue Reading

How a Much-Loved Cat Inspired Entrepreneur Travis Bloom to Create a Business

May 21, 2021

Cat being exampined with a stethoscope by a vet.
(istockphoto.com)

Alumnus Travis Bloom ’13 is the co-founder of Pawlicy Advisor, a pet-insurance marketplace that helps pet owners find the right coverage for their animal. With pet-ownership increasing during the pandemic, and emergency veterinary bills that can run as high as $10,000, the service is more vital than ever, said Bloom. In the last three months, the company has secured millions in funding and tripled its team.

Bloom, who majored in management information systems at UConn, considered himself a risk-averse person, but said creating his own business has been 10 times harder, and 10 times more rewarding, than he ever imagined.

Below he shares a bit about his business journey.Continue Reading