Simsbury Bank has given a $50,000 grant to support the UConn School of Business’ Family Business Program, an initiative providing research, professional advice, education, and peer networks for family-owned and entrepreneurial businesses. Continue Reading
Entrepreneurship
Drug Triggers Immune System to Fight Cancer in Pets

UConn Today – Every time the veterinarian removed the cancerous tumor from the back of “BW,” a sweet-faced, well-loved, white cat, the malignancy would return two or three weeks later.
The cat’s owner opted to try a revolutionary veterinary cancer treatment, called VetiVax, which triggers the animal’s immune system to fight the disease. After the third treatment, the fibrosarcoma tumor didn’t recur, and “BW” has been healthy for 2½ years.
UConn alumna Ashley Kalinauskas is the CEO of Torigen Pharmaceuticals, the Farmington, Connecticut-based company that creates the new treatment. She is currently marketing it to veterinarians and is anticipating rapid growth for her startup.
Unique, Creative Startups Win $30,000
Innovation Quest Tops Participation Record; Winners Present Vastly Different, Creative Startup Ideas
The winners of this year’s Innovation Quest (iQ) competition had a unique set of people to credit for inspiring their success, including:
- A friend with a teddy bear tattoo, emblazoned with his ex-girlfriend’s name;
- A waitress who was trying to handle a mad-house of customers during a blizzard, when the rest of the wait staff didn’t show up;
- A little brother who leaves his EpiPen home because it is too bulky to carry;
- Americans who have very polarized beliefs about political events, depending on which news source they follow.
Over 200 Would-Be Entrepreneurs Seek Mentoring, Business Advice

“It’s Not a Passive World”
Freshman Michael Mayo has dreams of building a roller-skating business adjacent to his alma mater, New Britain High School. His goal would be to afford students some much-needed recreation while also offering them classes and hands-on knowledge about how to run a business. Continue Reading
Women in Family Business: Bridging the Gaps
School of Business Co-Sponsors Program for Women in Family Businesses
“Women in Family Business: Bridging the Gaps” is the subject of a business and networking program from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Innovate Hartford, 20 Church St. in Hartford. Continue Reading
EBV Graduates 22 Veteran Entrepreneurs

‘I Can’t Believe How Lucky I Am!’ Veterans’ Plans Include Cookie Business, Animal Shelter, Counseling Center
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Damone “D” Garner has a secret weapon for his post-military career.
Hailing from a family that boasts three generations of talented bakers, Garner has a collection of secret, family-cookie recipes that will make other bakers quake in their aprons. Continue Reading
A First-Place Tie

Revamped Wolff New Venture Competition Surprises Audience with Two Medical-Device Champs
The late Thomas John Wolff ’56 was an entrepreneur, and UConn School of Business alumnus, who ran five businesses simultaneously. He exemplified values like enthusiasm, mentorship and appreciation. Continue Reading
‘You are an Entrepreneur!’

UConn’s New Xcite Conference Draws 200+ Women; Strives to Increase Connecticut’s Women Business Leaders
It was a simple assignment that YouTube executive Kathryn Friedrich gave to the audience of 200 business women: take a minute and think of an entrepreneur.
“If you’re not thinking of yourself, think again, because you are an entrepreneur,” she said. “Entrepreneurship is a mindset. You don’t have to start your own company to be an entrepreneur. You can start working on it right away!” Continue Reading
Welcome New Faculty

School of Business Adds 14 Professors to Ranks
An OPIM professor with a near-perfect student rating, an expert in entrepreneurship and startups, an MSA graduate who wants to help lead the program she loves, and a management professor who specializes in international business growth are among 14 new faculty members joining the School of Business for the Fall 2016 semester.
Our new faculty include: Continue Reading
‘The World Is …Brimming with Opportunities’

Graduate Students Find Fulfillment in Assisting Startups; Business Owners Grateful for Helping Hand
Sumit Kumar, a second-year MBA student, couldn’t believe his good fortune.
This summer he was able to devise a market strategy for a growing beverage company and conduct market analysis and funding research for a biomedical-device manufacturer, both in Connecticut.Continue Reading