Elena Cahill, JD
Vice President of Innovation, Strategy and Advancement
Innovation Center at Bauer Hall
Launched in 2018, The Innovation Center at Bauer Hall is a creative space on campus for UB students and alumni to explore their entrepreneurial side. By joining the Innovation Center, you’ll have access to opportunities, events, and mentorship that will help you grow your skills and carry your projects from ideation to implementation.
Innovation. Creativity. Entrepreneurship.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to take your business ideas to the next level, including:
- A podcast studio
- Meeting spaces
- Expert speakers
- In-house mentors
- Tech transfer office
- The Student Entrepreneur Club (SEC)
- Weekly events
- And more!
Innovation Center photo tour
Third floor
Second floor
Lower level
Meeting/social/study space 3rd floor
Located on the main staircase
First floor
Section overview
Judy Apicella
My experience at UB was amazing and exceeded all my expectations. Before starting the master’s in Human Nutrition program, I worked as an herbalist and small business owner. During the program, I received a grant to investigate and research one of my herbal formulas. I received a second grant to work with the faculty at the Innovation Center to expand my small business. UB helped me use these two grants to advance my business, including introducing online sales. The SEC is a place that really takes you under their wing to help you develop and grow your business, through access to grants, manufacturing, and more.
Elena Cahill, JD, launched UB’s Bauer Hall Innovation Center in 2018 and served as its Director until 2022 when she was promoted to Vice President of Innovation, Strategy and Advancement. She has been instrumental in developing partnerships with industry leaders, workforce development, and community organizations. Under her leadership, the Innovation Center has helped hundreds of students build business plans that led to the founding of companies in industries including technology, retail, food and beverage, health services and travel.
Sherri Dente, Esq. serves as the current Director and is continuing its mission to provide resources and collaboration to assist in the creation and growth of businesses founded by students and others in the community.
The Innovation Center includes a podcast studio, conference and presentation rooms, student lounge, individualized computer work stations, collaborative “brainstorming booths’ and lab areas that provide a professional and high-tech atmosphere to both students and the community. The Innovation Center houses the Student Entrepreneur Center (SEC), the SEC Club, and a Technology Commercialization Group (TCG).
Since the Innovation Center is in Bridgeport, one of Connecticut’s four designated Free Trade Zones, the Center offers unique client support. To improve their businesses, clients will be guided by attorneys, experts specializing in international trade, designers, engineers, marketing professionals, accountants, financial professionals, and successful entrepreneurs. To learn how the Innovation Center can support your business innovations, contact entrepreneurship@bridgeport.edu.
Section overview
Sherri Dente, Esq.
Director, Innovation Center at Bauer Hall
Phone 203-576-4190