Voting Opens for 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

Voting opened today to find the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut for 2025.

Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allows the public to vote on their favorite product. 

Produced by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with CONNSTEP, the challenge celebrates Connecticut’s critical manufacturing industry and highlights the wide range of products produced by the state’s world-class, highly skilled workforce.

Companies will compete head-to-head through each round, with the winner announced at the Oct. 2 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

“The 16 products in this year’s competition represent the best of Connecticut manufacturing,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

“From delicious food and beverages to innovative medical devices, critical aerospace and defense components, and products that make our—and even our pets’—lives better, these products showcase the innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence of Connecticut’s workforce.”

Round One

Online voting for round one of the competition is underway through CBIA’s website. 

The round one matchups are:

• Munson’s Chocolates Pecan Caramel Patties vs. Element 119 System X Max G+ Ceramic Coating 
• Urban Mining Pozzotive Glass Concrete vs. Owl’s BrewOwl’s Brew Boozy Beverage 
• Bic Consumer Products Lighter vs. Naiad Dynamics Fin Stabilizer 
• ZANEEZ HealthAnkleStone vs. Oma’s Pride Woof Compete Recipes Dog Food 
• Thule ReVert Bike Rack vs. Beekley Medical Elequil Aromatabs Aromatherapy 
• Rose Sisters Chips Baked Flour Tortilla Chips vs. Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Frangible Joint 
• Fascia’s Chocolates Chocolate Lava Cake vs. American Woolen Company American Blazer 
• Amodex Stain Remover vs. Horst Engineering & Manufacturing Co.Horst Dreidel 

“Connecticut has an incredible tradition of innovation, and this competition is a perfect way to recognize all those companies that are making the coolest things in the world,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez.

“Not only is this an opportunity to celebrate and take pride in what we make, but it allows us to look into the future of what we’re going to be making here in Connecticut.”

Year Two

This is the second year of the annual competition. Electric Boat’s Virginia-Class submarine won the inaugural challenge last year.

The products in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut were nominated by the public and business leaders.

“It allows us to look into the future of what we’re going to be making here in Connecticut.”

CONNSTEP’s Beatriz Gutierrez

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.

After the competition, the Connecticut Science Center will open an exhibit Oct. 10 celebrating the 2025 Coolest Things Made in Connecticut.

Thank you to our exclusive media partner, WTNH News 8. Tune in throughout the competition for complete coverage of the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut.