Our Mission

CCEI Summer Accelerator

As CCEI’s flagship program, the Summer Accelerator Accelerator prepares founders to launch and grow their ventures, leveraging hands-on mentorship, expert guidance, and practical business development support. Over the course of eight weeks, selected startups will receive $15,000 in non-dilutive funding, participate in structured workshops, receive one-on-one coaching from industry experts, and access critical services — including pro bono legal, accounting, branding, banking, and product development support. The Summer Accelerator is highly competitive, with only ten startups selected per cohort to ensure each team receives intensive, hands-on support.

Program Highlights

• Eight-week immersive experience: Meets three days a week, offering deep support across all facets of venture growth.
• Non-dilutive funding: Each selected startup receives $15,000 in non-equity funding for business development expenses. Students and 2026 graduates have the opportunity to use up to $5,000 of this funding to pay themselves to work on the business full time.
• Expert mentorship & workshops: Founders benefit from personalized guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
• Access to services: Pro-bono legal, accounting, branding, banking and product development services help teams establish and scale their ventures.
• Progression opportunities: At the conclusion of the program, select teams may advance to further competitive opportunities, including the Wolff New Venture Competition.

Who Should Apply

The Summer Accelerator is open to ventures with at least one founding member affiliated with UConn, including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Startups should demonstrate scalability, differentiation, and a validated customer segment.

Apply Now

Entrepreneurs interested in applying can learn more and submit their applications at: https://ccei.uconn.edu/summer-accelerator/. The 2026 Accelerator Application Deadline is February 17, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Notable Alumni

UConn’s Summer Accelerator has helped launch and scale more than 100 affiliated companies across tech, health, consumer products, and social impact. Standout alumni include onewith swim, which landed a Shark Tank deal in 2025; Veradermics, led by Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Reid Waldman and went public in February 2026; Phoenix Tailings, building a circular rare earth metals supply chain; LambdaVision, developing the first protein-based artificial retina in space with backing from Seven Seven Six; ProVelocity Bat, a swing trainer used by nearly every MLB organization; WheelPrice, an AI-powered marketplace transforming automotive parts fitment; and Swipestorm, a restaurant-software startup creating tools like Restore to help quick-service teams track, resolve, and analyze guest issues..

For More Info

For questions or more information, contact:
Alycia Chrosniak, alycia.chrosniak@uconn.edu

Preston Trombly’s artwork has been exhibited in museums, galleries and private and corporate collections throughout the greater New York Metropolitan and Tri-State areas, Chicago, Knoxville, Tenn., Fort Collins, Co. and Lavalenet, France. His works have received awards from The National Arts Club in New York City, the Cooperstown Art Association and The Art Students League of NY, where he studied for a number of years.

Also a musician, composer, and radio host on Sirius/XM “Symphony Hall” (channel 78), Trombly graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from UConn in 1968. He then attended the Yale University School of Music where he earned a Master of Musical Arts degree in 1972. His original music has been performed extensively in America and Europe and commercially recorded on the Nonesuch and CRI record labels. Since his time at Yale, he has lived and worked in New York City and shifted his focus to the visual arts.

Spring 2026 Gallery Hours:
Mon to Wed, 10 am – 4 pm
Thu, 1 pm – 4 pm
Fri, 10 am – 4 pm
Prior to performances and during most intermissions

The Public Interest Law Group will host its 33rd Annual Public Interest Law Group Auction, an annual fundraising event supporting students pursuing public interest careers. The silent auction will be open from February 16th through February 21st, allowing participants to bid on donated items and experiences from local businesses and community partners. On February 21st at 6 pm in the Stuart F. Smith Reading Room, the organization will also host a live, in-person event to promote the auction, encourage final bidding, and celebrate the Public Interest Law Group’s mission. All proceeds raised through the auction directly fund fellowships that support law students who accept unpaid summer internships in public interest and public service positions, helping ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from pursuing meaningful, service-oriented legal work.