Charger Startup Weekend for Students Wins First Place at Inaugural CT Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony

The University of New Haven’s Charger Startup Weekend, a program for students held last fall, has been awarded first place in the community-favorite education category at the first Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards ceremony.

Charger Startup Weekend was the first event organized by the university’s multi-disciplinary program in entrepreneurship and innovation that was created last fall.

"Charger Startup Weekend was an extraordinary event that had a far-reaching impact on the students who participated," said College of Business Dean Brian Kench. "It fostered entrepreneurial spirit and an innovative mindset."

Charger Startup Weekend 2016 Video

Held over a 46-hour period Sept. 16 to 18, Charger Startup Weekend provided undergraduate and graduate students a collaborative, competitive environment that involved brainstorming ideas for products and services, testing marketing ideas with potential customers, networking, and professional mentoring, all of which culminated in a pitch competition similar to the hit TV show "Shark Tank."

Joint leadership provided by both the engineering and business colleges resulted in a larger and more significant event than in the previous year, and is a testament of the power that can be unleashed by joining forces.

– Tagliatela College of Engineering Dean Ronald Harichandran

Students from six Connecticut universities, representing 32 academic majors and programs, participated in the event. The teams were generally a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, and they were mentored by 22 entrepreneurs from the region and faculty members.

See more photos from the event on the Charger Start-Up Weekend Facebook page.