Financing and Related Resources

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP)
ATP is a unique partnership between the federal government and private industry, providing grants to accelerate the development of high-risk technologies that promise significant commercial payoffs and widespread benefits for the economy.

The Angel Investor Forum (AIF)
The Angel Investor Forum is an organization located in Connecticut comprised of accredited investors, who collaborate on due diligence, but make individual investment decisions. Their main goal is to help entrepreneurs build successful companies and thereby achieve excellent returns on AIF members' invested capital.

The Connecticut Development Authority (CDA)
The CDA structures creative financial solutions for businesses to encourage economic and employment growth, job training and business recruitment.

Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA)
CEFIA was created by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011. It is the successor organization to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CEFIA’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CEFIA is governed by an 11-member board of directors appointed by the governor and the leadership of the State Legislature. As the nation’s first full-scale clean energy finance authority, CEFIA will leverage public and private funds to drive investment and scale up clean energy deployment in Connecticut. 

The Connecticut Venture Group (CVG)
CVG is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to stimulate economic growth by bringing together Connecticut entrepreneurs and investors. CVG has chapters in Hartford, Stamford and New Haven that host periodic networking events.

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
DECD builds better communities through sound economic development. Whether it's improving housing through grants to cities and towns or creating well-paying jobs through assistance to business, DECD helps ensure a higher quality of life for people in communities across our state. DECD representatives work closely with businesses to help them obtain the financial and business assistance they need to thrive.

The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA)
NVCA is the trade association that represents the venture capital industry. Its membership consists of venture capital firms and organizations that manage pools of risk equity capital designated for investment in emerging companies. NVCA represents more than 400 member firms, representing the majority of venture capital invested in U.S. based companies. A list of NVCA members is available at www.nvca.com.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBA/SBIR)
The SBIR program provides up to $850,000 in early-stage R&D funding directly to small technology companies (or individual entrepreneurs who form a company).

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT)
CCAT is a non-stock, tax-exempt Connecticut corporation that works in partnership with industry, government, and academia to strengthen technology-led economic competitiveness. CCAT facilitates collaborative efforts to enhance the capabilities of current and emerging industries through innovation, entrepreneurship, and new business creation.

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Industry-Specific Organizations

BEACON
The Biomedical Engineering Alliance and Consortium is a unique collaborative among private and public institutions pledged to developing and delivering commercially viable innovations in biomedical science for healthcare applications.

CONN/STEP
CONN/STEP is a non-profit organization that helps Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced manufacturing and management techniques to become more competitive, supporting the growth of Connecticut's economy.

The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC)
CTC is a partnership of Connecticut providers and users of technology committed to growing and diversifying the state's technology base. The council is an advocate for technology businesses, and the science, technology, business, education and public policy issues relevant to the interests of its members.

Connecticut United for Research Excellence Inc. (CURE)
CURE is a not-for-profit, statewide coalition dedicated to promoting public understanding of the benefits and methods of biomedical research. CURE also serves as the coordinator of the state's Bioscience Cluster.

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General Business Organizations

Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE)
The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering is a private, nonprofit, public-service institution patterned after the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy identifies and studies issues and technological advances that are or should be of concern to the people of Connecticut, and provides unbiased, expert advice on science- and technology-related issues to state government and other Connecticut institutions. It is comprised of distinguished scientists and engineers from Connecticut's academic, industrial, and institutional communities. Membership is limited by statute to 200 memers.

Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA)
CBIA is the largest statewide business association, with over 10,000 member companies. CBIA is a membership organization that provides its members with legislative and regulatory advocacy; research; public relations; information services; insurance, retirement and training programs; and consulting assistance.

The MIT Enterprise Forum of Connecticut Inc.
The MIT Enterprise Forum is a not-for-profit public service organization founded to promote and strengthen the process of starting and growing companies with a strong technology orientation. It provides services to educate and inform entrepreneurs and supporters of entrepreneurship.

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Information Services/Other

The Connecticut Economic Resource Center Inc. (CERC)
CERC is a private, non-profit corporation formed and managed through a unique partnership between utility / telecommunications companies and state government.

CERC's Business Response Center (BRC) offers information regarding a wide range of business funding and assistance programs. For more information visit www.youbelonginct.com or call 1-800-392-2122.

ConneCT
ConneCT is a registered service mark for the official Web site of the state of Connecticut. The ConneCT Web site provides public access to official information created by government agencies.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to strengthen the U.S. economy and improve quality of life by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards.