Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut: Round 2

The second round of voting is in full swing for the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge.

This single-elimination, bracket-style challenge allows the public to vote on what they believe is the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

“This is really a chance to show off some of the best products in Connecticut,” said CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord during a segment on  WTNH News 8’s CT Buzz with Natasha Lubczenko.

More than 22,000 total votes were cast on the 16 products in the first-round matchups with eight products reaching the second round of voting. 

“It’s been amazing—we’ve had great responses from the employers on the list and we’re really excited to get into the next round,” Nord said.

Round Two

The round-two matchups feature: 

• Munson’s Chocolates Pecan Caramel Patties vs. Urban Mining Pozzotive Glass Concrete
• Naiad Dynamics Fin Stabilizer vs. Oma’s Pride Woof Compete Recipes Dog Food 
• Thule ReVert Bike Rack vs. Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Frangible Joint 
• Fascia’s Chocolates Chocolate Lava Cake vs. Amodex Stain Remover

The competition is an opportunity to highlight Connecticut’s vibrant manufacturing sector.

There are more than 4,500 manufacturing companies in Connecticut, employing more than 153,000 people.

“Manufacturing is really important part of Connecticut’s economy” said Image Marketing president Kate Terricciano.

“This is a fun way to highlight and bring attention to all of those different businesses.”

How to Vote

The second round of voting is open through Sept. 3.

Voting is open to the public. Each person may cast one vote per device per head-to-head matchup each round.

The final four products will be announced Sept. 4.

The overall winner announced at the Oct. 2 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut led by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with CONNSTEP.

The challenge is made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Image Marketing, Blue Back Square, Medtronic, the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and Forge.