Networking Opportunities

It’s about who you know. Student clubs, panel discussion and lecture events, and networking activities allow student innovators to forge deeper ties with entrepreneurial and inquisitive peers and mentors, building a robust network of those who can offer valuable feedback and guidance.

Student Participants of HackUConn 2023 pose for a photo! (Photo Credit: Alexa Bush)

Werth Signature Programs

werth innovators posing for a photo

Werth Innovators

Werth Innovators are student ambassadors for entrepreneurship and innovation who play a central role in building interest and increasing student involvement in UConn’s wide range of entrepreneurial programs. Students are selected through an application process that highlights their innovative projects and entrepreneurial mindset along with their drive and resiliency to create something new with a lasting impact on UConn or society as a whole. Join the Werth Innovators.

Students networking

Netwerx

The Werth Institute NetWerx Program builds bridges between current students and UConn alumni through multiple mentorship engagement opportunities that center around the entrepreneurial mindset and career exploration within entrepreneurship, finance, technology, innovation, and related fields. Various time commitment levels range from a single afternoon session with students to multiple student meetings over a longer period. Get involved with NetWerx.

Resources and Experts

The Family Business Program

The Family Business Program helps family businesses and the students that work with and for them adapt and thrive in today’s rapidly changing economic and business climate. Through business and family-systems programming, we help students and businesses prepare and propel business through innovative business strategy, organizational structure, management practices, human resources, leadership development, and succession planning. Equally important as learning from such programming, the Family Business Program is a collaborative, member-driven initiative, allowing you to share challenges and solutions and learn from each other through our network. Leaning on the academic backbone of UConn's School of Business, we offer a unique opportunity to learn from professionals, experts and peers in an unbiased, confidential environment. We promise a dynamic educational experience, rich in take-home value that will challenge your intellect, enhance your business skills, and prepare you to effectively lead and manage your family-owned enterprise.

BOLD Women’s Leadership Network

The BOLD Women’s Leadership Network is a pioneering program cultivating courageous leadership in young women during the college years and beyond. BOLD focuses on facilitating opportunities for women’s career development and networking through scholarship funding, programming, and post-graduation fellowships. Ultimately, the program will empower young college women to become leaders in their life and careers after college.

CCEI Mentor Network

The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) is always seeking professionals who are interested in mentoring our aspiring entrepreneurs and startup teams for the CCEI Mentor Network. Past mentors have served as guest speakers or panelists during our Summer Fellowship Program, worked one-on-one with students who are participating in the InsurTech Fellows Program, or supported startups and ventures as they begin commercializing their technology, product, or service.

CCEI Student Ambassadors

CCEI student ambassadors aid in the process of recruiting students at the University to join the programs we offer at CCEI. Ambassadors work together as a team to ensure CCEI reaches students across each campus to offer knowledge and experience through campus events, social media platforms, and class presentations. Student ambassadors are innovative, driven, and encouraging individuals who strive to assist in the development and growth of CCEI programs.

CT Small Business Development Center

The Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), one of the largest federal small business assistance programs, provides no-cost, confidential advising services to both prospective and existing entrepreneurs to help them start or grow their business. Small business owners and entrepreneurs can meet with professional business advisors to learn more about startup planning, marketing, loan package development, industry trends, going global, growth strategies, disaster preparedness, and more.

CTSBDC, which has served 35 years of service to small businesses, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and the University of Connecticut.

InsurTech Fellowship

The CCEI InsurTech Initiative is designed to increase student's understanding of the insurance industry and grow the next generation of innovators within the InsurTech space. Students will work directly with new and innovative InsurTech startups, receive personal mentorship from insurance executives, consultants and leaders, gain access to networks in the InsurTech ecosystem, connect to exciting job opportunities and internships, and earn $4,000 in scholarship funding for participation.

Startup Internship Program

CCEI utilizes its internal and external network of startups to connect undergraduate and graduate students to summer internship opportunities. Through this program, students will work with startup companies in developing their business, enhancing their marketing strategies, perfecting their pitch decks, researching industry markets and working through financing models.

xCITE: Women in Entrepreneurship Network

Originally established as a day-long conference for Connecticut women in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, xCITE has since evolved into so much more! Still dedicated to bringing together women entrepreneurs and organizations from across Connecticut and beyond, xCITE is shifting its focus towards an increased frequency of networking and mentoring opportunities. The result of this shift is a reengineered program with an emphasis on building a committed network of women entrepreneurs and will engage participants year-round in meaningful opportunities designed to connect, support, and inspire.


Student Clubs and Organizations

3D Printing Club

The 3D Printing Club, open to all members of the UConn community, is a place for students to collaborate on creative design and engineering solutions. The Club embraces both the functional and artistic aspects of 3D printing and hosts design competitions, outreach events, and discussions on advances in the technology.

Association for Computer Machinery (ACM)

The UConn Chapter of the Association for Computer Machiner (ACM) provides a voice for student concerns about computer-related issues and a venue for educational enrichment. While membership primarily consists of students who will go on to be computer science professionals after graduation, ACM is open to anyone with an interest in computer science. UConn-ACM organizes and promotes group activities, such as visits to computer-related businesses, conferences, and museums, and fosters discussion about ethical and other issues regarding computing. The organization offers guest speakers, promotes internships and co-ops, plans campus hackathon events, and more.

Business Management Society

The Business Management Society (BMS) is a student-run organization that unites future leaders across campus and works to build their personal brands. Members can network in a comfortable setting while receiving hands-on experience through case competitions, field expert talks, current events debates, field trips, and more.

Creating Economic Opportunity (CEO)

Creating Economic Opportunity (CEO) gives a diverse group of students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of entrepreneurship. We are college students with ideas and ambition connecting idea generators and students seeking entrepreneurial experience. We welcome students from all majors and backgrounds.

Global Health Spaces on Campus (GloHSOC)

Global Health Spaces on Campus (GloHSOC) organizes the annual UConn Global Health Symposium and Global Health Hackathon. Creating a space on campus for students interested in global health to engage in conversation about big topics in global health and learn from leaders in the field.

Information Management Association

The Information Management Association is a student-run organization that provides resources for students interested in the field of Information Technology. Meetings and events involve inviting IT representatives from various industries to speak to students about their company, job prospects in the field, recruitment, informational sessions, resume building, mock interviews, and the art of networking.

Maker Club

UConn Maker Club is a new club devoted to building ambitious projects.

MEM Society

The MEM Society works to assist in the education and professional development of students interested in management, manufacturing, and engineering. Together the members will support one another to overcome academic challenges and be exposed to different aspects within the workforce.

UConn Consulting Group

The UConn Consulting Group was founded on the belief that given the resources and training, students can make a meaningful contribution in any type of setting and achieve their career goals. UCG gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience providing strategy consulting services to UConn organizations, local businesses, and corporations. Services include identifying opportunities to improve profitability, strategic planning and organizational alignment, marketing research, competitive benchmarking, partnership identification, financial analysis and performance management, and leadership team alignment.