Bridgeport Accelerator Program
The Accelerator Program at University of Bridgeport is open to residents of Bridgeport and those who own businesses located within the city of Bridgeport. The Accelerator Program helps members expand and scale their Bridgeport businesses.
The Accelerator Program is made possible by a grant from the City of Bridgeport. The program includes:
- 40-week accelerator program with a weekly speaker series featuring subject matter experts in all areas of business
- Access to the co-working spaces available in the Innovation Center
- Mentorship
- Grants for legal assistance up to $1,000
Once you complete the Accelerator Program, you are awarded a $5,000 grant that you can use to expand your business.
Peter Divone, Sr
Peter Divone, Sr is an accomplished Chemical Process Engineer with over 40 years of experience working with several multinational companies including Colgate-Palmolive, RJR Nabisco and Unilever. In his 25+ years at Unilever R&D, Mr. Divone held positions as Director of Global R&D Process Skin Care and Cleansing Process Engineering and Director of Site Operations, Tech Services and Environment, Health and Safety. Mr. Divone’s patented batch and semi-continuous personal care liquids manufacturing designs can be found in 20 factories in 12 countries around the world. Mr. Divone is the president of Plante Solutions, LLC. In addition to serving as an EIR, he is also a member of UB’s Bauer Hall Innovation Center and Ernest C. Trefz School of Business Advisory Boards. He was appointed to 3DX Industries’ Board of Directors.
Dr. Gad Selig
Dr. Gad Selig is a highly accomplished technology leader and academic professional, with over 25+ years in technology leadership roles with major firms including AT&T, CBS, and Verizon, and 17+ years in academia where he served as Dean of Industry Outreach at University of Bridgeport (UB). Dr. Selig also founded a consulting firm, GPS Group LLC, that provides technology and education services to small, medium and Fortune 500 firms. Dr. Selig is an Adjunct Professor of Management at University of Bridgeport and Fairfield University. He is a certified mentor at SCORE. Dr. Selig is the author of six well-known books in the areas of technology strategy and management, as a result he is a highly sought-after speaker at both industrial and academic conferences. Dr. Selig sat on multiple corporate boards and helped advance their mission by overseeing their technology strategy, management, education and related innovative solutions.
Judy Saffan, Esq.
Judy Saffan, Esq. worked as an attorney with a focus on state and local taxation and federal corporate taxation. Attorney Saffan received a Doctor of Law degree from Tulane University Law School and a Masters of Laws, LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She received a 40-hour Mediation Certification from Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Barbara Distasio
Barbara Distasio is a senior innovation and business development executive with 20+ years of experience in a variety of industries. Innovation leader, strategic visionary, with excellent problem solving and implementation skills, proven successful team leader, and strong facilitator across organizations — especially at the “C” level — relying on solid communication and presentation experience to get consensus and results. A quick study with an affinity for complex issues, change, and innovation in dynamic work environments. She can initiate and oversee innovative brainstorming, idea prioritization, and management on a large scale, can provide creative problem-solving workshops, advise and direct ideators in the development of compelling new product and business concepts, act as a knowledge broker to ensure that the most innovative concepts and practices are shared and adopted by independent operating groups.
Ellie Tandler
Ellie Tandler is the former CEO of Affinimark Technologies, Inc., a company developing a unique, patented diagnostic test strip, which provides on-the-spot, immediate results upon suspicion of a cerebral spinal fluid leak for patients. Prior to Affinimark, she was the CEO and a founder of NovaTract Surgical, Inc. a venture-backed start-up company founded to develop new, innovative laparoscopic medical devices for surgeons to take minimally invasive surgery to the next level of ease and simplicity. Ms. Tandler is a business executive with proven ability to conceive, develop, lead, problem solve and execute in the healthcare space. She has a track record of motivating and developing high-performing teams. Prior to her executive startup experience, Ms. Tandler was a venture capital investor in New York City investing in early-stage health and life science companies, focused on investments in the healthcare services, information technology, and medical device sectors. Ms. Tandler is a former member of the Advisory Committee for the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund and former member of the Board of Directors for BioCT. She has served as a judge and mentor in various capacities for the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale University and member of the Grant Advisory Committee for the Donaghue Foundation.
Joseph Ziskin, MBA
Joseph Ziskin, MBA is a senior strategy & business development executive helping organizations create, restructure, and grow businesses by taking advantage of new business models and markets. Joe was a Vice President at IBM for over 10 years driving strategy and business development. As a strategy consultant he has worked with dozens of companies to develop and execute plans for growth and innovation. Since IBM, Joe has worked as Chief Strategist and Chief Revenue Officer for a cybersecurity start up and as Chief Operating Officer for a private equity portfolio company. He is a member of IBM’s Industry Academy and was a board member of the TM Forum. He has been a frequent speaker at conferences including GMIC SV, 3GSM/MWC, TM Forum, ITU Telecom, NAB, and IBM Conferences.
Once I met with the Accelerator Program advisors, they really began to make things happen. There were no hoops to jump through. When you feel like you’re being heard, you start listening, too. If you’re serious about your business, you’re going to get a lot out of this program. They brought relevant people to each meeting and gave specific information for the needs of my brand.