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Innovation Quest (iQ)

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About the program · 1 linked sources

Annual campus-wide entrepreneurship competition at UConn since 2012. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students (82+ majors represented). Features a workshop series (Feb-Mar), competition application period (Mar 5-25), and Summer inQbator bootcamp for top 10 finalists. 2026 winners included innovations in manufacturing, tuition payments, AI IP protection, and hair-care. Notable alum company: PartsTech.

Also known as: iQ, UConn Innovation Quest

How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-23); what those sources do not state is left unknown.

Key numbers

Funding range

Not listed

Cash Award

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2026-04-20

High confidence

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Innovation Quest (iQ)

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Student notes

Innovation Quest (iQ)

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    Rating

    0/280

    Application and Timing

    Annual cycle. Workshops Feb-Mar, applications Mar 5-25, Summer inQbator for top 10 finalists.

    Participants

    UConn undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. Alumni within one year of graduation also eligible.

    Funding and Equity

    Cash awards to winners (e.g., $15,000 for first place in 2024). No equity taken.

    Recent Activity

    • April 2026: Five new champion startups crowned
    • 2025 winners included robust seafood venture, brighter laundry, artist platform
    • 2024 winners: Toribio Labs ($15K), health-focused teams
    • Active since 2012

    Known startups and winners

    Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

    See every startup
    Historical winners (research notes)

    2024 winner: Toribio Labs ($15K). 2022 winner: Ursa Mayhem Media (mental-health game). Notable alumni: PartsTech (successful iQ company). Additional ventures include Swipe Dining app and health-focused teams.

    Research gaps & things to verify

    Verification Gaps

    • 2026 specific prize amounts not confirmed on main page
    • Long-term survival rate of iQ winners not tracked
    • Total iQ alumni company funding raised not aggregated
    Additional research notesShow

    Evidence

    Official iQ site with full program description, eligibility, calendar, and winner information.[1] UConn Today articles on 2024, 2025, and 2026 winners.

    News & articles

    News articles and official sources documenting Innovation Quest (iQ) at University of Connecticut.

    1 source