Onyeka
Obiocha

Onyeka Obiocha is driven by a vision to foster just and vibrant communities through innovation and entrepreneurship. Born in Windsor, CT, to Nigerian immigrants who fled the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, Onyeka has forged a remarkable career, fueled by the same passion and perseverance that enabled his parents to embrace the promise of a bright future in America. Throughout his journey, he has harnessed organizational and innovative thinking to tackle societal challenges head-on.

Currently Onyeka serves as the Executive Director of CTNext, the entrepreneurship and innovation arm of Connecticut. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversees operations to support entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the state. Working closely with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry leaders, Onyeka spearheads the development and implementation of programs, initiatives, and policies aimed at stimulating the growth of startups, small businesses, and innovation ecosystems. His collaborative approach ensures the fostering of a thriving entrepreneurial community in Connecticut.

Prior to his role at CTNext, Onyeka held several positions focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and social change. During his time at the University of Connecticut, he co-founded Sharelogical, an e-commerce platform that empowered consumers to make charitable donations through affiliate marketing channels. Seeking to make a tangible impact, he embarked on a micro-consignment economic development initiative in Cape Town through the Social Entrepreneur Corps. Returning to the United States, Onyeka spearheaded a corporate social responsibility program for a foodtech startup in Hartford and launched community venture-building studio Breakfast Lunch & Dinner.

In 2013, Onyeka co-founded "A Happy Life," a coffee roasting company and coffee shop in New Haven with a mission to create a happier world for all. He served as the Chief Operating Officer and was recognized by the National Retail Federation for establishing a retail outlet that epitomized excellence in careers, community, and innovation. Through his work at A Happy Life, the Connecticut General Assembly awarded him an official citation for his significant contribution to Connecticut's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After three and a half years of rapid growth, Onyeka sold the coffee business when he was selected as a Social Entrepreneurship Fellow at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. This fellowship opened doors for him to become the first-ever Director of Innovation at Dwight Hall, the Center for Public Service and Social Justice at Yale University. At Dwight Hall, he launched the Social Innovation Lab, Yale's inaugural entrepreneurship incubator for Yale students and New Haven community members.

In 2017, Onyeka joined the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY) as a Associate Director, later becoming Managing Director. In this capacity, he deployed capital, developed programming, and attracted resources to assist students in launching and scaling both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Additionally, he served on the Advisory Council for the College Street Innovation Fund, a $3.75 million fund that invests up to $100,000 in qualifying Yale startups.

Onyeka's exceptional contributions have garnered recognition, including Connecticut Magazine's “40 Under 40” award, the Next City Vanguard distinction, Nantucket Project Scholar, and inclusion among the "100 Men of Color" honorees. As part of his commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, he served as a finalist judge for the Echoing Green Fellowship and consulted for entrepreneurship service organizations in New York City, Budapest and Beijing. A renowned speaker, Onyeka has been a keynote, moderator, and panelist at numerous conferences and events worldwide. Most notably, he has hosted intimate discussions with esteemed individuals such as Arlan Hamilton, Iddris Sandu, and Michael Seibel. His work has been featured in publications such as Fast Company, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and AfroTech. 

Onyeka holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut and resides in New Haven. Outside of his professional endeavors, you can find him exploring natural wines, embarking on a long bike ride, and passionately following UConn basketball.

If you're looking for him, he can be found on Instagram and Linkedin.