CTNext has named Onyeka Obiocha, the former managing director of the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale, as the company’s new leader.
Obiocha, a New Haven resident, comes to the organization after years of experience as an entrepreneur and businessman. CTNext is an entrepreneurship program overseen by the state’s quasi-public venture lending arm Connecticut Innovations.
In addition to his recent time at Yale, Obiocha was a director at Integrated Capitals and Learning at the Heron Foundation. There, he played a part in stewarding a $350 million endowment to help people serve communities they live in. He currently serves as the board chair of New Haven Innovation Places, where he’s worked to connect higher education institutions with startup organizations and people in the workforce.
CTNext Board of Directors Chair Revell Horsey said that Obioca brings the experience the organization needs.
“We have a number of programs at CTNext that have the ability to scale and succeed. Ony embodies the entrepreneurial mindset in action and spirit, and has the skillset required to enhance current programming and maximize impact for the entrepreneurs we support,” Revell said.
Obiocha said he looks forward to continuing CTNext’s mission, which aligns with what he’s done in his professional life.
“I have spent my career providing avenues for communities to showcase their innovation while supporting entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow,” Obiocha said.
Obiocha is also the founder of Sharelogical, an e-commerce platform, and co-founder of A Happy Life, a coffee company in New Haven.
