CT Next

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are programs that encourage small businesses to win Federal Research and Development grant on ideas that have potential for commercialization. These grants are targeted through a competitive awards-based program. SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization, often awarding $100,000 and above for project research aligned to government objectives.

Participants will prepare to grow artificial leather-like material from the bacteria found in Kombucha. Each student will prepare one tray. The group will experiment with different sources of Kombucha bacteria/scoby/mother so results can be compared when harvested. The session will include a lecture informing students about the nature of bacteria in Kombucha and how that translates in to the leather-like material that is produced.

Session 1 Agenda

6:00pm - Gather and immediately start boling water

Introductions (as water boils)

Details: A panel of four successful CT entrepreneurs answer questions about making it in our state, recently ranked the #4 most innovative in the nation. How does a tech startup succeed in Connecticut? What makes our state a good place to launch a business? What kind of help/resources are available? What obstacles arise, and how did you overcome them? If you’re an entrepreneur or investor, considering the possibility of launching a business, or work with startups, this "can’t-miss" one-hour discussion should be invaluable.

We see amazing ideas at MakeHaven every day. Being able to make a good pitch for your idea can make the difference that gains allies and wins funding. We want to help inventors and entrepreneurs find their voice and practice to compete in larger pitch competitions the Entrepreneur Innovation Awards. To this end we are hosting an online pitch competition for the extended MakeHaven community. We invite anyone with an invention, creative work, or idea that can become a business to participate.

New entrepreneurs are often in need of a overview of the basics, including how to incorporate and understanding patents and copyright. In this session, MakeHaven Startup Coach Bruce and Executive Director JR will cover these topics, share insights, and answer questions.

DNA testing has now become available to consumers at amazingly inexpensive prices. This unlocks the potential for totally new preventative health interventions and insights, but also demands understanding of genetics and how to properly interpretative the tests. The data without understanding is not useful and misinterpretation can be dangerous.

This online event will be to workshop and refine the pitch for your business or invention. This event will build on the learning from the "Developing Your Pitch" event, and allow for trying out ideas and receiving peer feedback. 

Participants can have a finished 5 minute pitch to practice, a partial pitch or just an idea. We do recommend participants to in try to make the case for an idea/business briefly addressing each of the following: