2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Bracket Revealed

Connecticut is home to some incredible products, but which one is the coolest? 

Sixteen manufacturers will go head-to-head for the title of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut. 

Now in its third year, the single-elimination, bracket-style challenge produced by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with CONNSTEP celebrates Connecticut’s manufacturing legacy, showcasing world-class products and the highly skilled workforce behind them. 

Excellence and Innovation

The 16 products in the competition represent a wide range of Connecticut manufacturing, from medical and safety devices and aerospace products to food, consumer goods, household items, and more. 

“Connecticut’s manufacturing industry is second-to-none in the country and around the world,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.  

“The companies and products in this year’s competition reflect the excellence and innovative spirit that define what it means to be a manufacturer in our state.” 

“The companies and products reflect the excellence and innovative spirit that define what it means to be a manufacturer in our state.” 

CBIA’s Chris DiPentima

This year’s bracket was revealed at Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense in Simsbury—home to the Frangible Joint, the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.  

“All the employees here at Ensign-Bickford take a tremendous amount of pride in this accomplishment,” said Ensign-Bickford value stream manager David Bridge.  

“It’s been great to be able to recognize everybody’s hard work that made this possible.” 

Public Vote

In each round of the competition, products will compete head-to-head, with the public voting to determine which products advance. 

Online voting begins Aug. 20.  

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

“This gives us an opportunity to really see these manufacturers that are all around Connecticut, highlight their products, and see the diversity that we have,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez. 

The round one matchups are:  

• Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System vs. Eljen Corporation Geotextile Sand Filter 
• Martin Rosol’s Kielbasa vs. Inline Plastics Safe-T-Fresh Packaging 
• The Lee Company Satellite Propellant Isolation Valve vs. Whelen Engineering Company Arges Remote Spotlight 
• Ti-Trikes Roadster 750 vs. Accurate Lock and Hardware JAM for Accurate Designer Hardware 
• RBC Bearings Satellite Bearing Cartridge vs. Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Dr. Sheffield’s Toothpaste 
• Waterbury Button Company Santa Claus Brass Button vs. Chapco-Fastcorp Dippin’ Dots DIVI Vending Machine 
• BD BD Syringe vs. Poly-Tech America Tilt-N-Deploy 
• Calzone Case Co. Calzone Go Live Workstation vs. Omar Coffee Breakfast Blend 

Manufacturing Breadth

“It’s amazing to see the breadth of companies that are manufacturing in Connecticut,” said CLA principal Matt Gaieski.  

“Manufacturing is the backbone of the local economy—it’s great to see this competition return for its third year.” 

The public and business leaders nominated the products in the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

“Manufacturing is the backbone of the local economy—it’s great to see this competition return for its third year.” 
CLA’s Matt Gaieski

The challenge is made possible through the generous support of CLA, with additional support from ASG, Medtronic, the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and Ensign Bickford. 

“We’re excited to be supporting manufacturing here in the state,” said ASG’s Ryan Kreger.  

“It’s our way of helping spotlight manufacturers in Connecticut.” 

Thank you to our exclusive media partner, WTNH News 8. Tune in throughout the competition for complete coverage of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.