Alumni Entrepreneurship

February 2, 2026 | Claire Hall

Innovation Quest Turns Ambitious UConn Students into Entrepreneurs

Kickoff workshops begin Feb. 4; no previous experience required

A man points to an oyster in his left hand while he stands at the counter of a food truck.

Keegan Jalbert, founder of AccessFlora and the Innovation Quest winner in 2025, is rolling out his new Reef-to-Table service this spring (contributed photo).

If it hadn’t been for UConn’s Innovation Quest (iQ) entrepreneurship program, Keegan Jalbert ‘23 (CLAS), ’27 (CAHNR) would still be debating when to start his own business.

Instead, the entrepreneur and graduate student in nutritional sciences is making great progress with his company called AccessFlora. He has purchased a food trailer, and in the spring will launch his Reef-to-Table service that will cater oysters at weddings and other events.

Last year, Jalbert won the iQ competition and a $15,000 grand prize. The 2026 competition, open to all UConn students, will soon be underway.

“I think one major impact of iQ was the direction to not delay in starting to sell product. Instead of waiting for the perfect prototype and opportunity, I have pushed to commercialize what is already viable, and develop the brand while working on the permits to continue advancing the distribution technology,’’ says Jalbert, who has long been interested in agriculture, food and innovation.

That’s the first step in a multi-stage business that will bring technical innovation and better distribution to the oyster industry, with hopes of expanding fresh seafood beyond coastal regions where it is most commonly served. He also has plans to develop larger and healthier shellfish seed.

Innovation Quest Awards $30,000 to Participants

Jalbert is one of more than 2,700 UConn students who have participated in iQ since its inception 15 years ago. The program is open to UConn undergraduate and graduate students from any major, and helps them quickly develop the business knowledge to pursue their entrepreneurship goals.

A plate of oysters.
A selection of oysters from AccessFlora (contributed photo)

Kevin Gardiner ’06 MBA , an adjunct professor in business and engineering, is the director of the program, which will award $30,000 in prize money in April. The program has enjoyed steady growth in participation every year.

“We’re looking for students who are really passionate about their ideas,’’ Gardiner says. “They don’t have to have knowledge of how to bring a product to market or have any significant business skills yet, but they do have to believe in the product or service that they want to create. The iQ menots can help students take the next step, determine if their product fills a market need, identify their customer base, and decide if their idea is commercially viable.’’

“We welcome all students and continue to have teams that are all or mostly freshmen who become competition finalists and win prizes,’’ he says. “No one should feel that they are too early on their educational path to participate.’’

Four Workshops Prepare Students for Competition

This year’s program will begin with four unique workshops on Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 25 and March 4. All of them are at 6:30 p.m. and are virtual, for the convenience of students.  Participants may enroll at innovationquest.uconn.edu.

Previous participants have created everything from toasty winter boots to stuffed animals, wearable garments that provide biomechanical data to laundry detergent that eliminates harmful dyes. Gardiner says a growing percentage of applicants have incorporated artificial intelligence into their businesses, but all ideas are welcome.

The iQ program has more than 30 expert mentors who coach students on everything from patent applications to marketing, all at no cost.

“The entrepreneurial environment at UConn continues to grow and thrive and we’re proud to be a part of it,’’ Gardiner says. “Our university has really become known for entrepreneurial expertise and for nurturing the innovators of tomorrow.’’

After the workshops are completed, students can submit a formal application to enter the iQ competition, beginning on March 4. The deadline is March 25. Final presentations will be conducted in Storrs and the top startups and their awards will be announced in April.

A man in a blue shirt folds his arms while standing in front of a UConn backdrop.
Patrick Mcdonald ’25, the founder of Mogulplex, a platform that creators can use to share music, animation, and other art. Mogulplex took Third Place at last year’s Innovation Quest competition (contributed photo)

Creating a Startup is the ‘Most Difficult, Rewarding Process’

Patrick Mcdonald ’25 (ENG) created his company Mogulplex, a platform where users can share their work, ranging from music to animation to other forms of art, and attract new clients. His startup took third place in last year’s competition and he won a $5,000 award.

Innovation Quest is one of the best experiences of his life, Mcdonald says. The validation and mentorship were invaluable, and instilled a new confidence in Mcdonald as an entrepreneur.

“As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to start a business and find my own way to contribute to society,’’ Mcdonald says. “Without the guidance of the mentors and the prize money I won, there is no chance my website would be at the advanced stage it is today.’’

“As my business nears its official launch date, I am reflecting on this journey and all of the help I’ve had along the way. Working through the challenges of creating a startup has been the most difficult, rewarding process I have ever been a part of, and it all began with Innovation Quest,’’ he says. “If you are a student who has a crazy idea and you are serious about making it a reality, this is the best place to start.”