The Sept. 18 event will bring together the state's leading innovators and offer elite opportunities for startups and students
UConn Tech Park (Magda Biernat)
UConn will host its first-ever Tech Showcase on Thursday, Sept. 18, gathering some of the state's top innovators in celebration of groundbreaking research and entrepreneurial talent.
The Showcase will provide opportunities for established professionals, newcomers, and students alike. It will feature cutting-edge business startups, presentations from career-motivated postgraduate students, expert insights from UConn faculty, and achievements in the University's groundbreaking research.
The full-day event begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 6 p.m. It will be held at the UConn Tech Park at 159 Universal Drive at UConn Storrs.
"Connecticut is a national leader in the innovative ideas and research that build new technology and improve our understanding of industry and workforce development," says UConn President Radenka Maric. "UConn is at the center of that legacy and will help drive a successful future, with our students, faculty, and innovators at the forefront. We look forward to the insights that our state and University leaders will provide at the Showcase, as well as providing a medium for our startups to make their own mark."
UConn is the state's flagship university, with considerable influence and impact on the local economy. Daniel O'Keefe, Commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development, will give the keynote address. The Showcase will explore the University's partnerships with employers large and small, demonstrating how meaningful collaboration yields financial success as well as innovation capital.
"As much as we celebrate the state's proud past and present as a technology giant, we are just as excited about the future," says Pamir Alpay, UConn Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. "We have a rich ecosystem of businesses of all sizes and a government working with UConn to further establish Connecticut as a leader in technology research and development, including in quantum initiatives that are revolutionizing industries. Our Showcase will provide an excellent opportunity to not only demonstrate our influence, but to welcome new ideas and stir collaboration among all our partners and start-ups."
UConn's Technology Commercialization Services (TCS) is organizing the Showcase. TCS oversees tech commercialization on behalf of the University, as well as licensing, entrepreneurship opportunities, and operates Connecticut's largest tech startup incubator, among other responsibilities.
"This event will highlight the best of what UConn has to offer in science and technology, and the OVPR is proud to spearhead this Showcase of our innovative start-up companies, talented students, and researchers, and insightful faculty sharing exciting new scientific discoveries," says Abhijit Banerjee, UConn Associate Vice President for Research Innovation and Leadership. "It is the first of its kind for the University, and we feel that now, more than ever, it is critical to translate these breakthroughs into real world impact. Events like these will help show the world who we are and help achieve that mission."
The Showcase will feature research spotlights, poster presentations, and offer elite networking opportunities that includes venture capitalists, angel investors, and mentors. It's also an exciting event for startups, with $25,000 in prizes to be awarded to innovators. The event will host five-minute pitch sessions before an audience of University and business stakeholders.
Michael Invernale, the event's organizer and Senior Licensing Manager for TCS, says that the Showcase will celebrate everything technological that UConn brings to life.
"As a UConn Ph.D., an entrepreneur, and a former member of the Technology Incubation Program (TIP), this event means a great deal to me," Invernale says. "It will give UConn an opportunity to herald our achievements in science and research, as well as our role in fostering future generations of Huskies prepared to make an impact."
Registration for the event is $50 for the general public and $25 for UConn alumni. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as a reception featuring ice cream from the UConn Dairy Bar. There are also a limited number of slots for pitches still available. Attendees can register at s.uconn.edu/techshowcase2025.
