Connecticut Innovations

Connecticut Innovations (CI) is Connecticut's quasi-public state venture capital arm, founded in 1989 and headquartered in New Haven, CT. CI is the leading source of financing and ongoing support for innovative, growing companies based in Connecticut. It operates multiple funds: the $200M Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund (evergreen, bioscience-focused), the $100M ClimateTech Fund (early-stage and growth, $150K–$5M per company), the $50M AI/Q Fund (AI and quantum computing), the $50M Future Fund (diverse, early-stage tech-enabled startups, $250K–$1.5M initial check), a core equity financing program (up to $1.5M per round, max $7M per company), a Venture Debt Fund ($1M–$5M), a Pre-Seed program (up to $150K), and a Proof-of-Concept fund ($50K–$100K). CI typically leads or co-leads rounds and requires co-investment. Beyond capital, CI provides strategic guidance, talent acquisition support, and introductions to partners and networks. All portfolio companies must have a presence in Connecticut.