Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut: Semifinals

The 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut has reached the semifinal round.

Four products remain in this single-elimination, bracket-style challenge that allows the public to vote on what they believe is the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.

“This is all about promoting the great things that we make here in Connecticut,” said CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord during a segment on  WTNH News 8’s CT Buzz with Natasha Lubczenko.

“Manufacturing is one of the most important industries in our state, and we make a lot of things that people never would have been here in Connecticut.”

Semifinal Matchups

The semifinal matchups are:

• Munson’s Chocolates Pecan Caramel Patties vs. Naiad Dynamics Fin Stabilizer
• Ensign-Bickford Frangible Joint vs. Fascia’s Chocolates Chocolate Lava Cake

“It’s very cool that we have such a broad array of products,” said Nord.

So far, more than 30,000 people have logged on to cast votes for their favorite product in the competition.

“There’s that competition aspect, but it really educates people about the amazing things made here in Connecticut.”

WTNH News 8’s Natasha Lubczenco

“That is what I love about this,” said Lubczenco. “It is a whole lot of fun, there’s that competition aspect, but it really educates people about the amazing things made here in Connecticut.”

CLA principal Brett Bushnell also joined the show. This is the second year that CLA has supported the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge.

“I’m very fortunate that I get to work with a lot of cool manufacturers every day,” he said.

“It strikes me to step back from this competition and not only recognize the significance of manufacturing in our state, but also the rich history of manufacturers and the level of innovation that we have.”

How to Vote

The semifinal round of voting is open through Sept. 10.

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. 11.

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.