Entrepreneurship

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

Posted on by Claire Hall
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

How Sweet It Is: Entrepreneurship Winner Creates Honey-Infused, Immune-Support Supplement

Posted on by Claire Hall
Bee and Honeycomb
(istockphoto.com)

Freshman Raina Jain hit a trifecta with her QueenBee immune support supplement.

Not only did she create a delicious and healthy supplemental beverage for consumers, she also found a way to help save the bees, and won the School of Business’ Innovation Quest (iQ) competition at the same time. Continue Reading

Alumnus’ Brainchild: Cannabis-Infused Beverage Company

Posted on by Claire Hall
Cans of Levia - Cannabis-infused seltzer
LEVIA, our April UConn Startup, is introducing cannabis -infused seltzer to the Massachusetts Dispensary market. (Photo Courtesy of LEVIA)

Alumnus Matt Melander ’09 is the President of LEVIA, a new cannabis-infused beverage company, based in Massachusetts. The company currently has three seltzers that are distributed at 38 dispensaries in Massachusetts, with roughly 40 more on the waiting list. Sales have been better than anticipated and the startup is growing quickly. Continue Reading

Startup ‘BeRemote’ Masterminds Stronger Employee Bonds

Posted on by Claire Hall

BeRemote CEO Vivek Nigam
BeRemote CEO Vivek Nigam (contributed photo)

BeRemote’s mission is to transform remote, professional work teams by enhancing engagement using an AI-based social-interaction platform that helps employees build and strengthen bonds within their organization. “Be a team that loves being a team,” is part of the company’s philosophy.

CEO Vivek Nigam, who earned his MBA from UConn in 2003, has 30 years of experience in IT and data strategy roles. He sold his first tech startup to AOL in 2000. Below he explains the company’s approach to team-building and how he hopes it will help transform the workplace.Continue Reading

UConn Startup Stemify Improves Math Education With AI

Posted on by

UConn Today – Many people leave college with bad memories of struggling through math classes. Students’ difficulties with early math classes are one of the top reasons they drop out of STEM majors. UConn Technology Incubation Program startup Stemify is working to change that, with an innovative approach to math education that utilizes artificial intelligence to support learning.

UConn Grows in Stamford with New Data Science Incubator

Posted on by Scott Slater III

UConn Today – The University of Connecticut announced today the opening of a data science technology incubator in Stamford, the state’s fastest growing city. The 5,685 square-foot facility at 9 West Broad Street adds to UConn’s existing Technology Incubation Program (TIP) locations on the main campus in Storrs and at UConn Health in Farmington.

Connecticut Startup Creates Over-the-Counter Pain Creams Without the Harmful Additives

Posted on by Claire Hall
The Feel Good Lab, a local startup, develops over the counter pain relief products free of harmful chemicals. (Contributed Photo)

Pharmacist Gene Gresh’s customers often asked him what kinds of over-the-counter pain relief products he would recommend.

After looking at the ingredient lists of the leading products, he discovered all contained harmful substances. In good faith, he couldn’t truly recommend any of them.

Gresh, the owner of Pioneer Health Compounding Pharmacy in Vernon, began formulating his own product, using natural ingredients. The new medications, now available from the company he helped create called The Feel Good Lab, are gaining traction in the healthcare market and are now sold in many large pharmacies, as well as online.Continue Reading