Sponsorship
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Innovation Quest (iQ)
Also known as: iQ, UConn Innovation Quest
University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT
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.
Quick fit check
- Offers direct funding
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Cash Award
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-04-20
High confidence
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.
PartsTech
University of Connecticut
Notable Innovation Quest alum company in the auto parts space.
ProVelocity Bat
Finalist
placement
University of Connecticut
Innovation Quest finalist; UConn student venture.
Toribio Labs
$15,000
prize won
University of Connecticut
Human health venture and 2024 Innovation Quest winner ($15K) at the University of Connecticut.
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.
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
