UConn Today – Tucked inside a small laboratory at UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP) in Farmington, Conn., Nicole Wagner is trying to cure vision impairment and blindness for more than 30 million people worldwide.
Entrepreneurship
Simsbury Bank Pledges $50,000 for Family Business
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
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