On December 4, 2024, Western New England University (WNE) hosted its 10th Annual Product Innovations Showcase at Rivers Memorial Hall, attracting community members, investors, and innovation enthusiasts. The event highlighted the ingenuity of students from the University's Product Development and Innovation (PDI) course, who presented functional prototypes and business plans for their product concepts.
The showcase featured 15 innovative projects, developed by interdisciplinary teams from WNE’s Colleges of Business and Engineering, addressing real-world challenges across industries such as health and wellness, home goods, industrial products, and pet care.
Attendees were invited to evaluate the projects and invest "Golden Bear Investment Dollars" in those with the greatest potential for commercial success. The teams awarded the Top 3 Investments were Cerberus, Modlet, and Rocket Filament.
Guests were also asked to vote for winners in a variety of other categories that showcased each team’s projects with the following results:
Fan Favorite - Armourdillo Thumb Glove
Best Elevator Pitch - Foot Flex
Best Prototype - Rocket Filament
College of Business Dean's Social Impact Award - Cerberus and Foot Flex
“This event is always a powerful example of what happens when business and engineering minds come together,” said Professor Mary Schoonmaker, Professor of Marketing & Entrepreneurship in the College of Business. “The collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking these students have experienced and demonstrated will undoubtedly serve them well in their careers.”"Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business—it's about fostering a mindset of innovation, problem-solving, and resilience," said Professor Glenn Vallee, Chair of Mechanical Engineering. "The skills students develop while creating and refining a product, from critical thinking to collaboration and adaptability, are essential for thriving in today's global economy.”
Among the standout projects were the Cooling Sleeve, a wearable cold therapy garment designed for sports recovery and injury treatment, and the Apex Helmet, a construction helmet equipped with sensors to monitor air quality, temperature, and noise levels. Both concepts were praised for their innovative approach to solving real-world problems. Project posters, elevator pitch videos, and product demonstrations can be viewed online at WNE Product Innovations Showcase.
For senior student Vy Vu ‘25, a member of the Pet-Temp team, participating in the PDI course and showcase was a transformative experience. “Being part of this process taught me how to bring an idea from concept to reality. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our team’s work could make a real impact especially those of us who are pet owners and who care about them like family,” she said.
This year’s event also reflected the lasting impact of U.S. Tsubaki-Automotive's $12,500 gift to support the PDI course. The donation, announced in 2021, has funded the development of projects and furthered WNE’s mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation.
The showcase attracted regional economic leaders, and investors underscoring the importance of the program as a launchpad for student success. Myron Kassaraba, Vice President for Investments for Mass Ventures was a first-time attendee. “These types of projects are so important for undergraduates. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team reflects the real world and is incredibly invaluable experience to future employees.”
Many projects presented at the event are expected to continue as Senior Design initiatives or will compete in entrepreneurial competitions like the Draper Competition and Grinspoon Spirit Awards.
“This is what makes WNE special,” Schoonmaker added. “Our students don’t just learn—they create. And through this showcase, they have the opportunity to share those creations with the world.”
