CBIA’s “Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut” Contest
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We’re thrilled to share that HORST Engineering’s titanium dreidel has been selected as a finalist in the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s (CBIA) “Coolest Thing Made In Connecticut” bracket-style competition! Launched in 2024, the contest puts the spotlight on Connecticut’s world-class manufacturing sector and showcases the incredible creativity and skill that drive our economy. Each year, 16 products are selected to compete head-to-head in a public voting showdown. The public gets to decide which product advances through each round until one emerges as the champion.
Last year’s winner—the Virginia Class Submarine by General Dynamics Electric Boat proved just how extraordinary “Connecticut-made” can be. This year’s bracket is just as exciting, and we’re proud to represent HORST Engineering and our community with a product that’s as meaningful as it is unique.
At first glance, the dreidel might seem like a small object. But at HORST Engineering, we saw an opportunity to bring our precision aerospace manufacturing expertise to a timeless symbol. Made from aerospace-grade titanium, each dreidel reflects the same meticulous quality standards we apply to our core business. The dreidel connects to family traditions, storytelling, and celebration. By blending heritage with modern engineering, the HORST Dreidel stands out as more than just a keepsake. It’s a symbol of what Connecticut manufacturing can achieve. To learn more about the HORST dreidel, click here.
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Congratulations to this year’s finalists! It’s great to see such a diverse group of products made right in Connecticut.
Connecticut is home to some of the most innovative manufacturers in the country, and this contest is a reminder of just how much is made right here in our state. From submarines to snack foods, aerospace components to dreidels, each finalist tells a story of creativity, hard work, and pride. For HORST Engineering, being part of this contest is not only an honor, it’s an opportunity to highlight the talent of our team, the strength of our community, and the future of Connecticut manufacturing.
We hope you’ll join us in supporting HORST Engineering throughout the competition. Together, we can celebrate what makes Connecticut manufacturing so special—and maybe even bring home the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut!”
How It Works:
Companies will compete head-to-head through each round. The public vote determines the winner of each round.
Round 1: Voting begins Thursday, Aug. 21
Round 2: Voting begins Thursday, Aug. 28
Round 3: Voting begins Thursday, Sept. 4
Round 4: Voting begins Thursday, Sept. 11
The winner of the competition will be announce October 2, 2025 during the Connecticut Manufacturing Summit at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT.
To Vote:
Visit https://www.cbia.com/coolest-thing/. When voting opens, there will be a prompt to begin voting. From there, you’ll be able to select your choice for each matchup. For each round, voting opens at midnight on Thursday morning and ends at 11:30pm on the following Wednesday. Each person may cast one vote per device, per head-to-head matchup, per round, during the voting period.