Author: Melanie Noble

TIP Storrs: Growth, Momentum, and a Thriving Innovation Community

The UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP) at Storrs has been experiencing renewed energy and growth, building on years of entrepreneurial success. As part of the program’s long-term vision to expand innovation opportunities, TIP welcomed Steve Criss in December as Administrator to oversee day-to-day operations, helping execute the team’s plans for strengthening and expanding the incubator. Since then, the Storrs facility has seen a wave of startup milestones, new company additions, and facility improvements that are helping advance the mission of supporting Connecticut’s next generation of innovators.

Several TIP Storrs companies have reached exciting growth stages. Andros Innovations is building a demonstration plasma reactor for sustainable fertilizer production, while Particle-N is advancing its nano-coating technology through client contracts and investor outreach. SingleTime Micro Needle has expanded its painless drug delivery platform into two full labs at Storrs and Farmington, and Therapeutic Bandage has grown its bioactive wound care solutions with new funding and team members. PiezoBioMembrane, focused on piezoelectric membranes for wearables and sensors, welcomed new CEO Linh Le and expanded into a newly renovated lab space. Meanwhile, new ventures like Atlas (seaweed-based food coatings), MembraneX (advanced filtration membranes), Sea Solutions (sustainable aquaculture systems), FemtoInnovations (ultrafast lasers), and Marc-Antoni Racing (EV motorsport technologies) have joined the growing TIP Storrs community. The incubator is now at full capacity, with a waiting list in place and active discussions underway about future expansion sites on campus.

Facility upgrades have also been a priority, supporting the program’s growing roster of companies. A new co-working space with reservable workstations is nearly complete, a digital kiosk for showcasing TIP news and research is being installed in the lobby, and a shared equipment space is set to open by late fall. Infrastructure improvements, including a repaired cold room and refreshed common areas, reflect TIP’s commitment to providing the tools and spaces startups need to thrive. Plans are also underway to convert the TIP front office into additional coworking space for partners such as Wiggins and Dana LLP, FMLA, and CT APEX, further enhancing collaboration across the ecosystem.

The growth at TIP Storrs reflects the strength of UConn’s broader innovation community and the dedication of the entrepreneurs driving these ventures forward. With full labs, expanding teams, and promising technologies emerging from the incubator, TIP continues to build on its foundation of success—creating opportunities for startups, the university, and the state’s innovation economy.