UConn Hosts Rising Innovators Through the Global Nexus Program

Through the U.S. Mission in India, entrepreneurs are equipped with training, mentorship and opportunities for U.S. collaboration.

The Office of Global Affairs’ Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) leads UConn’s efforts in global entrepreneurship and cross-border collaboration, strengthening UConn’s position as a place where international innovators can learn, connect, and build long-term partnerships. A flagship initiative of the U.S. Mission in India, the Nexus Entrepreneur Empowerment program is administered through the American Center and implemented by UConn Global Affairs/GTDI and provides high-potential Indian startups with intensive training, mentorship, and pathways to engage with the U.S. innovation ecosystem. “A unique component of the program is the opportunity for each cohort’s top startup to visit UConn for a week to explore the university’s entrepreneurial assets and connect with Connecticut’s innovation community.”

For UConn Global Affairs, hosting Nexus awardees aligns directly with the University’s mission to expand global impact through research, entrepreneurship, and international partnerships. These visits create opportunities for shared learning between faculty, research centers, and emerging founders. As Tolga Turker, Director of Global Entrepreneurial Programs, notes, programs like Nexus “position UConn as a hub where international founders can connect with researchers, explore new technologies, and spark collaborations that can grow into meaningful global innovation pipelines.”

This fall, Shiftzzy, founded in 2023 by Adarsh Kakarania and Tanya Wadhwa, traveled to UConn as the winner of the Nexus 20th Cohort. What began as a small effort to guide students seeking full degree programs overseas, has grown into a full platform designed to make global education more accessible. Shiftzzy supports learners through university exploration, application guidance, and transition preparedness, with the broader goal of simplifying complex steps for students pursuing opportunities abroad. Their long-term vision is to partner with U.S. universities operating in India and strengthen pathways for future international students.

The 21st Cohort winner, Sevenky Tech, incorporated in 2022 by Venkat Bokka and Sailaja Sowmya, brought a complementary technical focus. Sevenky develops modern digital engineering solutions across computing, networking, automation, sensors, and AI, delivering reliable and scalable systems for a range of industries. Their visual identity reflects this multidisciplinary approach—a butterfly-shaped cluster of coloured circles, each representing a core engineering domain. Looking ahead, Sevenky aims to expand its technology footprint across India and the United States by taking on larger, high-impact projects.

The weeklong schedule was intentionally designed to align with the strengths and goals of both companies. For Shiftzzy, whose work centers on student pathways and global education access, sessions with UConn Global Affairs, the Graduate School, Enrollment Management, and the Center for International Student & Scholar Services offered meaningful insight into how large universities support international learners, from admissions pipelines to student services. These engagements directly connected to Shiftzzy’s long-term vision of partnering with U.S. universities operating in India.

Founders of Sevenky, Tanya Wadhwa and Adarsh Karania, and founders of Shiftzzy, Venkat Bokka and Sree Sailaja Sowmya Katta, meeting with Dr. Sanjeev Nayak and Uconn Engineering faculty exploring quantum technology collaboration opportunities.

For Sevenky Tech, a company grounded in computing, automation, sensors, AI, and engineering systems, the technical components of the itinerary provided high-value exposure. During their visit to the UConn Tech Park, the founders connected with researchers developing smart sensors that help preserve clean water supplies. They also traveled to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology’s Digital Transformation Lab, the Technology Incubation Program, and attended meetings related to Quantum CT initiatives which gave them a practical look at how research, advanced engineering, and commercialization come together in Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem. These sessions offered them a deeper understanding of emerging technologies and opportunities for future collaboration in the U.S. tech landscape. When asked about their future plans, the Shiftzzy founders shared that “their goal is not only to support more students pursuing education abroad but also to welcome U.S. universities looking to expand their presence in India”. Meanwhile, the founders of Sevenky Tech expressed their ambition to “broaden [their] reach across the United States and take on a wider range of high-impact technology projects.”

Visits like this illustrate how UConn and the Nexus Startup Hub in India are building bridges between ideas and impact. By fostering these connections, UConn strengthens its role as a global hub for entrepreneurship and links emerging founders with research, technology, and mentorship to spark innovation across borders.