![\"Tech-Entrepreneurship](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Tech-Spotlight-300x63.png\")
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In addition to the panel discussions and keynote, presentations included curricular practical training for international students, an overview of CoE programs and activities, and sessions on opportunities at a variety of technology incubation ventures and related resources. The event was also cohosted by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI)<\/a> and ClimateHaven.<\/a><\/p>\n George Bollas, associate dean of Research for CoE and director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering<\/a>, says the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights, network with fellow innovators, and connect with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Connecticut.<\/p>\n \u201cThis workshop offered graduate students a unique opportunity to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path, gaining direct insights from founders who have successfully launched startups in climate, energy, manufacturing, and AI,\u201d Bollas explains. \u201cThe workshop offered valuable networking opportunities, connecting attendees with like-minded peers, mentors, and key players, and provided useful introductions to critical resources such as funding opportunities, incubators, and mentorship programs that can support aspiring entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into successful ventures.\u201d<\/p>\n Entrepreneurship, Bollas adds, is an important vehicle for technology development, transfer and deployment. The workshop, he says, offers a new paradigm of career paths and jobs critical for industrial sustainability and competitive advantage, and will be offered again next year.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the currently challenged funding landscape,\u201d Bollas says, \u201cthese efforts also enable faculty researchers and students increased access to capital and industry partnerships to engage with the growing Connecticut entrepreneurship ecosystem, bringing additional economic growth and job creation to our state.\u201d<\/p>\n The panelists shared insights and tough lessons. \u201cPrepare like you know nothing, but deliver like you know everything,\u201d said John Toribio at the event, who is developing a smart-clothing platform for health monitoring and other applications. \u201cTake advantage of the expertise around you at UConn \u2013 you don\u2019t have to know how to do everything yourself,\u201d said Laron Burrows<\/a>, founder and CEO of Andros, a company focused on chemical engineering and sustainability.<\/p>\n Yiden Zhang, co-founder of SeaSol, a company developing advanced materials from seaweed, echoed Burrows\u2019s comments, addressing the benefits of learning from the many experts available at CoE and UConn, but also cautioning that entrepreneurship isn\u2019t right for everyone. \u201cBut one of the beauties of being in this rich academic research environment,\u201d said Zhang, \u201cis that you can discuss and try out your ideas in a creative, safe, supportive arena and see what works best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Subbloie\u2019s presentation, billed as a \u201cfireside chat,\u201d was an interview conducted by Michelle Cote, lead instructor and director of Launc[H] at CCEI.<\/a> Subbloie was ranked in the 2021 Worthy 100 by Worth Magazine for his entrepreneurship around environmental benefits. Prior to starting Budderfly, he founded and served as CEO of Tangoe, an industry-leading telecommunications expense-management solutions company.<\/p>\n During the interview, Subbloie shared his perspective on business challenges, leadership, management approaches and taking companies public.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a jungle out there,\u201d Subbloie reflected, \u201cand my first important lesson was that it helps to work for someone else and gain operational knowledge, experience and financial acumen before going out on your own. That said,\u201d he added, \u201clike many of you in this room, I always knew I wanted to start up my own company and be a CEO, so that remained my goal and I pursued it vigorously.\u201d<\/p>\n Subbloie talked about his early days, and the need to focus on competencies beyond technical expertise required to successfully raise capital and get others to buy in to your vision. As an example, he cited the importance of developing strong presentation skills and shared how he\u2019d made thousands of presentations during his career. And like the other speakers, he talked about failure as motivation, however frustrating.<\/p>\n \u201cFailing and losing is winning, ultimately,\u201d Subbloie said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re young and ambitious you think you know it all, but that\u2019s very na\u00efve…\u00a0 though the poorer you are when you start out means you have little to lose \u2013 your dedication and investment in time makes up for early weaknesses or doubts. However, you must be able to separate fear from recklessness, chase those things relevant to the longer gain, make mistakes, and learn from each step in your journey.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entrepreneurship options are offered through the UConn College of Engineering and led by the Entrepreneurship Hub. The eHub<\/a> was developed to actively promote the exchange of ideas, and to provide a space for collaborations and partnerships among UConn\u2019s Tech community.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"George](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/George-Bollas-entrepreneurial-workshop-300x222.jpg\")
![\"Panelists](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/entrepreneurial-panel-shot-300x187.jpg\")
![\"Keynote](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Entrepreneurial-keynote-speaker.jpg\")