Connecticut Innovations

Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a New Haven, Connecticut–based strategic venture capital and economic development organization that serves as the state’s primary source of equity and debt financing, strategic guidance and ecosystem support for innovative and growing companies across sectors including technology, bioscience, IT, cleantech and advanced manufacturing. Founded in 1989 as the state’s venture capital arm, CI backs pre-seed through early-stage (Series A) investments—often between roughly $500 K and $1 M per round—while also managing larger thematic funds such as the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund, ClimateTech Fund and Future Fund to support sector-focused growth and job creation. The organization leverages private-sector investment principles alongside public mission objectives to help portfolio companies scale, make strategic hires and access follow-on capital, and it administers programs such as the Angel Investor Tax Credit to encourage private investment into Connecticut ventures. CI’s portfolio comprises hundreds of startups and emerging companies, and the firm also participates in fund-of-fund investments to broaden its reach and impact. In addition to capital, Connecticut Innovations provides mentorship, operational support and introductions to partners and customers to help entrepreneurs commercialize innovations and expand within and beyond the state.