Michael A. Invernale is a UConn alumnus, earning his PhD in Chemistry in 2010, with a focus on polymer science, specifically with conjugated polymers (conductive; color changing). He worked in IMS as his primary laboratory and was author to over 18 publications and 4 patents, as well as a book chapter, during his 4-year graduate career. In 2010, he co-founded Alphachromics, his first start-up experience, based on this UConn intellectual property. Michael then ran product development, regulatory, and operations in the nutritional supplement and contract manufacturing industries, including FDA exposure for food, supplement, drug, and medical device regulations. Then in 2020, as part of Longsleeve, Inc., he was awarded an NSF Phase I SBIR award which was administered using UConn Storrs TIP, where their laboratory operates to this day! Given his serial entrepreneurship, Michael is intimately familiar with navigating the early-stage trials and tribulations of the small business owner, from technical challenges to funding opportunities.

Since 2021, Michael has been the SBIR/STTR expert at CTNext. CTNext is a catalyst for innovation and has a host of programming and resources to support early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs in CT. Part of fostering that growth in our state is making sure early-stage companies, entrepreneurs, and researchers such as yourselves know that these opportunities exist for them to utilize in accelerating their growth. To that end, he is available to meet with prospective applicants to CTNext’s programs and resources, in particular the SBIR/STTR opportunities. His organization is readily available to help foster growth in the state we call home. Services are free because their mission is not to be for-profit but rather to be for-you; when you succeed, CTNext succeeds!