CTNext awards $64K to companies at pitch event

CTNext, a resource for entrepreneurial support based in Rocky Hill, has distributed $64,000 in Entrepreneur Innovation Awards to six Connecticut companies and entrepreneurs.

The awards were given out on Sept. 15 at Bill Miller’s Castle in Branford.

Finalists presented project ideas at a Shark-Tank-style event for an opportunity to secure $10,000 awards.

Asarasi Inc. of Cos Cob, which also won $2,000 as a crowd favorite, won for developing a proprietary manufacturing process that allows biological plant-based water to go to market with an indefinite shelf life in a glass container.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lucca Ventures Inc. of Southington, which also won $2,000 as the judges’ favorite, created a device that improves voice communication for patients with respiratory illnesses.

Other winners included:

• Eureeka of New Britain, which presented its creation of decision-making software for logistics professionals;

• EZ ICE Inc. of New Haven, which manufactures a kit for a custom and portable backyard ice rink that can be assembled in under an hour, with no tools and on any surface;

ADVERTISEMENT

• Medframe LLC of Storrs, which created a protective covering for stethoscopes to avoid infections; and

• Pelletric LLC of Norwalk, which manufactures a wearable device that gives accurate vital sign measurement.

To be eligible for an award, startups must be Connecticut-based, registered as CTNext members, and looking to conduct growth-related activities to help advance their business. CTNext is a Connecticut Innovations program.