Innovation



The Next Generation of Innovators

UConn Today – After announcing his $22.5 million commitment to UConn to foster innovation on Dec. 4, donor Peter Werth attended presentations by alumni, graduate, and undergraduate student innovators during the Entrepreneurial & Innovation Student Huddle held at the newly named Peter J. Werth Residence Tower, formerly Next Generation Connecticut Residence Hall.

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UConn Receives $22.5M Gift for Entrepreneurship, Innovation

Peter J. Werth speaks at an event to announce his $22.5 million commitment to the University on Dec. 4, 2017.
Peter J. Werth speaks at an event to announce his $22.5 million commitment to the University on Dec. 4, 2017. The pledge from Werth, an innovator in generic prescription medication, is the second-largest in University history. Seated is President Susan Herbst. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The UConn Foundation has received a $22.5 million commitment from Peter J. Werth, ensuring a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship for generations of students to come.

“Peter’s transformative and historic commitment cements his legacy as a most generous friend to UConn,” said Josh Newton, President and CEO, UConn Foundation. “As a steadfast UConn supporter for many years, Peter has previously given very generously to our athletic programs. We’re grateful that his generosity has expanded to include academics, especially into an area that supports the economy of our state: entrepreneurship and innovation. We hope he will inspire others to follow his lead.” Continue Reading




Curating Startup Innovation at UConn Innovation Quest with Special Guest Rich Dino

CTStartup Podcast– The CTStartup Podcast is back for its third season with a new format, new host, and new interviews focusing on the startup ecosystem in Connecticut.

We start off Season 3 interviewing Rich Dino, an associate professor at UConn and the director of the Innovation Quest program aimed at helping young students and startups bring their business ideas to life.


UConn Innovation Quest: SR ClampLight

CTStartup Podcast– Sometimes the simplest innovation can have the largest impact, and can even save lives in the right situation.
The SR Clamplight is a firefighting tool created by Jerry Reyes-Riviera, a volunteer firefighter who saw a way to make this dangerous profession a little bit safer for his fellow firefighters.

Tune in for this UConn Innovation Quest interview and hear how this simple invention could mean the difference between life and death for the brave men and women of the local fire department.


UConn Innovation Quest: Macroscopic Solutions

CTStartup Podcast– Though most of the startups that participated in the UConn Innovation Quest are in the earliest stages of building their business, one returning company, Macroscopic Solutions, is a veteran of the IQ challenge, and returned to offer both advice, and a look at just how far they have come.

We sat down with Mark Smith of Macroscopic, who has been a guest on CTStartup as well, to discuss how IQ helped his business grow from an idea into a full-time job with international reach.


UConn Innovation Quest: Flux Forcefield

CTStartup Podcast– No matter what automakers do, creative thieves find ways to defeat even the most elaborate anti-theft devices. Indeed, it is almost impossible to stop a truly determined thief, and even if you do, proving their guilt can be difficult unless you catch them red-handed. But what if you could add an anti-theft device to your car that did just that?

The students behind Flux Forcefield, another entry in UConn’s Innovation Quest business incubator, has created an anti-theft deterrent that could send repeat offenders behind bars for a long time.


UConn Innovation Quest: Dermatat

CTStartup Podcast– Tattoos were once considered taboo and the realm of weirdos and ne’er-do-wells, but in the 21st century body ink has gone mainstream. Alas, that also means a number of tattoos done in questionable taste, and despite many wonders of modern medicine, the only current treatment for tattoo removal is both painful and expensive.

But what if tattoo removal was as simple as applying a band-aid? That’s the idea behind Dermatat, a concept straight out of UConn’s Innovation Quest business incubator. Tune in to check out what could be the next revolution in the tattoo industry.