The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s Traction Workshops are a unique opportunity to help aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups move their ideas forward. Open to anyone interested in the topics of entrepreneurship, this series of virtual workshops provides participants with hands-on guidance in developing a strong foundation of knowledge. Whether you have a concept in its earliest stages — or no idea at all, these workshops aim to empower you to learn about entrepreneurship on your own terms.
Participants will benefit from expert-led sessions that cover essential startup topics, including value proposition creation, customer discovery, creating an impactful pitch deck, and business model development.
Concept to Commercialization led by Scott Longley
October 21, 2026 from 6:30-7:30pm
RSVP HERE
Bringing a product from idea to impact is no small feat — but with the right roadmap, it’s possible. This workshop will walk you through the critical steps of moving from prototype development into full-scale manufacturing. FORGE, a leading resource for startups navigating the complex path from concept to commercialization, will discuss each stage, from market research and product validation to scaling up manufacturing operations. We’ll cover: prototyping, design for excellence (DFX), preparing for manufacturing readiness, and strategies for building a sustainable, efficient supply chain.
Traction is coordinated by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) at UConn. CCEI was founded in 2007 and is a focal point for entrepreneurial activity within the University. CCEI supports students, faculty, staff, and alumni entrepreneurs across all academic departments, schools, and colleges. For more info: ccei.uconn.edu
For more information contact:
Michaela Hartl, michaela.hartl@uconn.edu
For more information, contact: Michaela Hartl at michaela.hartl@uconn.edu