There were a variety of inspiring messages at UConn’s recent entrepreneurial workshop, but the recurring theme was about failure as a foundation for achieving success – every speaker spoke about the importance of failing and persevering, learning from mistakes, self-belief, collaboration, and constantly pushing forward.

Called Entrepreneurship as a Career Path Workshop, the event, hosted by the UConn College of Engineering (CoE), was open to undergraduate and graduate students and researchers from engineering and relevant disciplines. Held at the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn Tech Park, it featured panel discussions on climate and energy, and on manufacturing and AI. The keynote guest was Al Subbloie, founder and CEO of Budderfly, a leader in the clean-tech sector, and promoter of energy-efficiency-as-a-service startups.

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) and ClimateHaven.

George Bollas, associate dean of Research for CoE and director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering, says the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights, network with fellow innovators, and connect with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Connecticut.

“This 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,” Bollas explains. “The 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.”

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.

“In the currently challenged funding landscape,” Bollas says, “these 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.”

The panelists shared insights and tough lessons. “Prepare like you know nothing, but deliver like you know everything,” said John Toribio at the event, who is developing a smart-clothing platform for health monitoring and other applications. “Take advantage of the expertise around you at UConn – you don’t have to know how to do everything yourself,” said Laron Burrows, founder and CEO of Andros, a company focused on chemical engineering and sustainability.

Yiden Zhang, co-founder of SeaSol, a company developing advanced materials from seaweed, echoed Burrows’s comments, addressing the benefits of learning from the many experts available at CoE and UConn, but also cautioning that entrepreneurship isn’t right for everyone. “But one of the beauties of being in this rich academic research environment,” said Zhang, “is that you can discuss and try out your ideas in a creative, safe, supportive arena and see what works best for you.”

Subbloie’s presentation, billed as a “fireside chat,” was an interview conducted by Michelle Cote, lead instructor and director of Launc[H] at CCEI. 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.

During the interview, Subbloie shared his perspective on business challenges, leadership, management approaches and taking companies public.

“It’s a jungle out there,” Subbloie reflected, “and 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,” he added, “like 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.”

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’d made thousands of presentations during his career. And like the other speakers, he talked about failure as motivation, however frustrating.

“Failing and losing is winning, ultimately,” Subbloie said. “When you’re young and ambitious you think you know it all, but that’s very naïve…  though the poorer you are when you start out means you have little to lose – 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.”

Entrepreneurship options are offered through the UConn College of Engineering and led by the Entrepreneurship Hub. The eHub was developed to actively promote the exchange of ideas, and to provide a space for collaborations and partnerships among UConn’s Tech community.

More photos from the event are available on Flickr.