2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut: Round 2 

The field of contenders in the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition has been narrowed from 16 to the final eight.  

Second-round voting is underway in the third annual bracket challenge, with the public voting on what they believe is the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut. 

The round-two matchups are: 

• Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System vs. Martin Rosol’s Kielbasa  
• The Lee Company Satellite Propellant Isolation Valve vs. Ti-Trikes Roadster 750 
• Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Dr. Sheffield’s Toothpaste  vs. Waterbury Button Company Santa Claus Brass Button 
• BD Syringe vs. Calzone Case Co. Calzone Go Live Workstation 

Public Engagement

The competition celebrates Connecticut manufacturing, and the innovative companies and workforces at the center of the industry.  

It also helps engage and educate the public about the innovation, ingenuity, and manufacturing expertise found across Connecticut. 

“What’s so great about this competition is that it’s an education for the residents of the state about just how broad our manufacturing base is and a great way for them to get involved and learn about it,” CLA’s Brett Bushnell said during a segment on WTNH News 8’s CT Buzz with Natasha Lubczenko. 

Connecticut is home to more than 4,500 manufacturing companies employing more than 155,000 people.

The sector accounting for more than 10% of the state’s GDP each year. 

“We have people across the spectrum doing amazing work in manufacturing,” CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord said during an interview with WICC Radio’s Melissa Sheketoff.  

“Being able to use a competition like the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut to draw attention to those companies, to get people excited about manufacturing, continue to support that industry, is incredibly important for our state and for our business community.” 

How to Vote

The second round of voting is open through Sept. 2, with each person allowed to cast one vote per day. 

The final four products will be announced Sept. 3. 

The winner will be announced at the Oct. 1 Made in Connecticut: 2026 Manufacturing Summit at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  

“We have people across the spectrum doing amazing work in manufacturing.”

CBIA Foundation’s Dustin Nord

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut is produced by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with business growth firm CONNSTEP. 

The competition is made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, ASG Information Technologies, Medtronic, the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense, and media partner WTNH News 8.

This year’s finalists were nominated by the public and business leaders from across the state.