How to Give Constructive Feedback (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Most managers know feedback is important. Not many look forward to delivering it. It’s easy to convince yourself it can wait—until the next 1:1, the…

The New Rules of Search

If you’re looking to grow your business, building brand awareness and driving organic traffic are likely at the top of your list. For years, search…

Venture Debt: A Powerful Way to Fuel Next-Stage Growth

Many entrepreneurs who build high-growth companies use equity financing to secure the funds they need to scale quickly, enhance their company’s credibility, and attract top…

What Founders Can Expect in 2026: Insights from Connecticut Innovations’ Investment Team

A new year is right around the corner, and if you’re gearing up to raise capital, you’re likely wondering what 2026 has in store. What’s…

Municipal Wastewater as Climate Solution: CREW Carbon

While pursuing his PhD at Yale, Joachim Katchinoff discovered a way to supercharge a natural process that locks away CO2 for millennia. By adapting it…

How to Recognize and Manage Burnout

There’s nothing wrong with hard work. Burnout—now that’s another story. If you’re wondering what you can do to recognize the signs of employee burnout and…

On Creativity, Technology, Ethics and Theology: A Q&A with Dr. Alana Ackerson, Author of Creative Humans

What do some of the world’s most transformative thinkers do differently? Can anyone learn to be creative? What role does technology play in the creative…

New Advice for Onboarding and Managing Remote Employees

Managing is hard. Managing remote teams might be even harder. That’s where Stephanie Reitz, MBA-HRM, SHRM-SCP, comes in. The client services director at myHR Partner,…

Where We’re Headed: Insights from the CI Investment Team

On the cusp of 2025, four senior investors answer questions about the year ahead. Given its ability to analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns,…

Five Tips to Help You Find Your Next Great Hire

As members of the Human Capital Services Team for Connecticut Innovations, Bo Bradstreet and Marina DeThomas help CI’s portfolio companies find exceptional candidates to fill…

Founder Spotlight: Eric Rosow

When we last sat down with Eric for our founder spotlight, he was solving “clinical data disorder” with his team at Diameter Health, a digital…

Thinking About a Rebrand? We’ve Got You Covered

Your customers, your prospects, your employees and your investors want to know what your company stands for. Branding helps you achieve that goal. But what…

Founder Spotlight: Dr. Reid Waldman

When we first spoke with Reid Waldman, M.D., his company, Veradermics, was developing a revolutionary new treatment for common warts. Writer Amy Hourigan sat down…

Founder Spotlight: Bill Moschella Sold His Startup Just Three Years After Launch. Here’s His Hard-Won Advice.

Serial entrepreneur Bill Moschella’s company, Populi, was acquired by Definitive Healthcare for $52 million just three years after inception. Here, he tells writer Amy Hourigan…

CI’s Fund of Funds Spurs Interest

Connecticut Innovations has been investing in high-potential, early-stage companies for decades. Founded in 1989, CI helped launch Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN), Arvinas (NASDAQ: ARVN), Biohaven…

“This Meeting Could Have Been an Email”

How plain language can strengthen communication—both inside and outside your organization   If your company builds robots for advanced manufacturing or develops novel biotherapeutics to…

New Fund Seeks Early-Stage Tech Companies Led by Underrepresented Founders

For decades, CI has witnessed the positive change that comes from seeding early-stage companies whose innovations improve lives around the world. Among other breakthroughs, CI-backed…

The Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs

  We asked our extensive network to recommend one book that should be on every entrepreneur’s must-read list. Whether you need advice, a dose of…

How to Build Your Finance Team as Your Company Grows

By Mary Wisenski As a company grows, so does its financial team. But not all companies have the same finance needs. Which roles should you…

Stock-Based Accounting Considerations for Startups

If your business offers stock-based compensation, also known as share-based compensation, as a benefit of employment, Kei Morita has advice. A principal in the Los…

Toward a More Sustainable Future

Cleantech Startups Are the MVPs of CI’s Newest Fund   The investment team at Connecticut Innovations believes that clean technologies are poised for exceptional growth.…

CEO Spotlight: Alex Waldron

Alex Waldron Joined a Team Set on Improving the Lives of the Millions of Americans Living with COPD. Here’s How It’s Going.   An estimated…

Founder Spotlight: Dr. Reid Waldman’s Company Offers a New Way to Treat a Common, Pesky Skin Condition

They aren’t pretty or, thankfully, painful (unless you get one on your foot), but warts are a nightmare to get rid of. Freezing is painful,…

How to Get Press Coverage: 33 Tips from Our Network

It was never easy to get a reporter’s attention, but with budget cuts in the newsroom and time at a premium, you must work even…

Get More Website Traffic with Backlinks

Organic search sends valuable, targeted traffic to your website. But SEO is a long game, and it can be difficult to know which tactics to…

Handle Video Calls Like a Boss 

(One who has had kinesics training, that is.)   Unless you’re an actor or a news anchor, you probably never thought you’d spend large chunks…

How to Manage a Hybrid Team

After working remotely during the pandemic, many teams—and their leaders—noted a boost in productivity and greater employee satisfaction. Still, some of the natural collaborations that…

Setting and Using KPIs

Key performance indicators, or KPIs, are metrics that tell us how well we’re progressing toward a goal. By setting, reviewing, reporting and periodically updating them,…

Surveying Your Customers Is Critical: Here’s How to Do It Well

Customer surveys are a powerful tool. When conducted properly, they give you a better understanding of what drives your prospects’ and customers’ behavior, and you…

How to Raise Capital and Tackle Other Tough Startup Challenges

Growing a startup isn’t for the faint of heart. But you knew that already. So does Nathan Beckord, CFA. The San Francisco–based CEO of Foundersuite…

You Can’t Disrupt the Status Quo When Your Back Hurts

HERE’S HOW TO STAY HEALTHY WHEN YOU’RE TYPING ALL DAY. Musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain, arthritis and tendonitis, are incredibly common in the workplace—and…

Is Poor Writing Costing You Business?

Last week, I was scrolling through Facebook when a sponsored post caught my eye. It was a real estate listing for a gorgeous Connecticut beach…

Crisis Communications

Things Don't Always Go According to Plan. Here's What to Do When They Don't.   When a minor incident becomes a full-blown crisis, professionals in…

Up Your Email Marketing Game

EMAIL REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE CHANNELS AVAILABLE TO MARKETERS. HERE’S HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR RESULTS. Despite the emergence of new marketing channels that…

The Post-COVID Workplace: What to Expect Now and in the Future

As we start to think about getting back to the office and returning to some sort of normalcy in the workplace, whether we are a…

Improve Your Users’ Digital Experience

  GOOD UX IS IMPORTANT. HERE’S HOW TO DELIVER IT. A good user experience can help your company boost conversions, retain customers and reduce support…

HOW TO HOLD INCLUSIVE MEETINGS & EVENTS

INCORPORATING DIVERSITY INTO YOUR HIRING PRACTICES IS A SMART MOVE. HERE’S WHAT TO DO NEXT. Countless studies have shown that diversity is good for business.…

Simple Things to Save the Earth—and Lower Your Energy Bills

State employees reduced average emissions by 60 percent during COVID-19—the equivalent of 27,461 gallons of gasoline consumed, or 41.3 homes’ electricity use for one year.…

Be a Better Remote Worker

  Whether you’re working remotely due to the pandemic or you’ve been doing it awhile and want to improve your game, we’ve got you covered.…

How to Design an Office That Attracts and Retains Talent

THE ENVIRONMENT WE WORK IN HAS A PROFOUND EFFECT ON OUR HAPPINESS AND PRODUCTIVITY. HERE, EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON HOW TO CREATE A SPACE YOUR…

How to Write Marketing Copy That Gets Results 

WHEN IT COMES TO SELLING, WORDS MATTER. HERE ARE THE ONES TO USE.   Pop quiz: What percentage of buying decisions are made subconsciously? Twenty…

Strategies for Improving Memory and Creativity (Entrepreneur Edition!)

LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE AND GETTING EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP MAY BOOST YOUR BRAINPOWER, BUT YOU PROBABLY DON’T HAVE THE TIME. HERE’S HOW TO DO…

Tips for Shooting Better Marketing Videos

If you haven’t yet added videos to your marketing mix, you might want to start. Video drives traffic to your site, boosts sales and leads…

How to Make a Press Release Work for Your Business

Have press releases gone the way of phone books and QR codes? Or are they still effective for spreading the word about your latest company…

Serial Entrepreneur on Batteries, Balance, and How She Built a Global Business in Connecticut

As the demand for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid energy storage systems continues to grow, so does the demand for safer, cheaper, high-performing lithium-ion…

Disengaged Employees Are Holding You Back. Here’s How to Deal.

You’ve seen it before: A once promising employee stops taking initiative. Spends far too much time scrolling through Facebook. Constantly calls out sick, and is…

Data Privacy Laws: What You Need to Know

Complying with new and emerging data privacy laws, such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), can seem onerous, especially when you’re a busy…

How the Finance Industry Can Use Local SEO to Its Advantage

Photo courtesy of Pixabay via Pexels.com Do you work in the financial industry? It’s very competitive. In fact, 50 percent of financial analysts in a…

Calling Would-Be Angel Investors: There’s a State That Has a Deal for You

With slowdown on the horizon, states are seeking ways to protect economic momentum. In an article recently published in Entrepreneur, Matt McCooe discusses how angel…

How to Write a Killer Survey

How to Write a Killer Survey   Customer feedback is critical, and surveys are a great way to get it. But how do you craft…

What We Learn From Kids That Makes Us Better At Work

On the fourth Thursday of each April, Americans take their kids to work. Not only is this a learning experience for our children, there are…

Now Is the Time to Press Even Harder for Immigration Reform

After receiving the best education America has to offer, many foreign-born grads have to take their knowledge and talent to countries with more welcoming immigration…

International startups can speed the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems

Middle America has significant advantages to offer, but cities need to learn how to sell the benefits and provide the capital needed to attract international…

Insurance 101: What You Need, What You Don’t

When it comes to insuring your startup, the choices seem endless—and confusing. What types of insurance do you actually need, and how much? What can…

Bioscience Entrepreneur on Innovation, Team-Building, and How His Company Stood Out in a Crowded Field

You asked for more stories about your peers—fellow Connecticut entrepreneurs who are making waves in their respective industries—and we’re thrilled to deliver. This month, Connecticut…

What You Need to Know About Non-Competes

You have trade secrets, and keeping them out of the hands of your competitors is critical to your business. But with ever-changing laws, not to…

Connecticut Entrepreneur Talks Marketing, Sales and Why Big-Company Experience Doesn’t Work at Startups

Dr. Steve Shwartz is co-founder and executive director of Device42, a Connecticut Innovations portfolio company that was named the fastest-growing tech company in Connecticut from…

Connecticut Entrepreneur Talks Technology, Teams, and How He Applies a Concept Called “Swing” to His Business

  In competitive rowing, there is a term called swing. It refers to an elusive feeling of near perfection and synchrony among a crew, in…

Is Your Content Dusty?

Is Your Content Dusty?   We're all for holding on to threadbare t-shirts, despite what your significant other might say. But old website content? Not…

How to Avoid Burnout

When we asked for advice about avoiding burnout, our inbox just about blew up. We received more tips on this topic than any other we’ve…

New Research Reveals That Social Media Use Among Businesses Is Declining Slightly

What’s Your Move?   Back in January, we asked entrepreneurs whether social media was important to the success of their business. The results were decidedly…

How to Deal with HR Issues When You Don’t Have an HR Department

The human resources function has changed markedly in the past few decades. The department that has historically been tasked with managing benefits, payroll and the…

The Better Angels of Our Future

The Role of Angel Investing in the Rise of Connecticut Startups Without angel investors, many dynamic young companies would never get off the ground. Angels…

Ultimate Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Industry 4.0

In the late 19th century, the world was transformed by the Industrial Revolution and the introduction of the steam engine. In total, there have been…

The Future of Digital Health

The Future of Digital Health Digital health is experiencing explosive growth. Innovators and investors alike see the tremendous potential in technologies that can transform the…

Creating a Winning Funding Strategy

During the creation stage of your entrepreneurial journey, money shouldn’t really enter the transom of your mind in a significant way. But once you realize…

Keys to Successful Series A Funding

When is your tech company ready for a series A raise? If you have an epic story to tell and you’re deep into your act…

What Theranos Taught Investors About Commercialization in Healthcare

What Theranos taught investors about commercialization in health care, MarketWatch by Matthew McCooe, Connecticut Innovations Matthew McCooe’s piece deconstructs the effects of the Theranos fallout,…

Connecticut Has Become a Prime Location for Innovative Startups

Connecticut has become a prime location for innovative start ups. If you are not a well-known coastal innovation hub, creating a culture of entrepreneurship and…

Remembering That Diversity Drives Excellence

Remembering That Diversity Drives Excellence MLK Holiday Reflections Matthew McCooe, Chief Executive Officer Given the amount of uncivil discourse in society at this moment, I…

The Importance of Legal Entity Structure for Startups

Startup Business Structure: Guide to Legal Entity Structure   Two keys to success in almost any entrepreneurial venture are preparedness and adaptability. When you are…

The Age of Digital Commerce Democratization: How Brands and Retailers Will Be Growing Online Business

The Age of Digital Commerce Democratization: How Brands and Retailers Will Be Growing Online Business It certainly does seem like so much commerce today is…

Cybersecurity Imperatives for Startups

Cybersecurity Imperatives for Startups Incidents of cyberattacks and malicious hacking seem to be dominating the news cycle of late, but computer system crimes have been…

Is It Time to Revisit Your Social Media Strategy?

Is It Time to Revisit Your Social Media Strategy? Almost without question, a social media strategy is a vital part of the marketing mix for…

Three Tips to Make Your Marketing Better

Three Tips to Make Your Marketing Better CI’s portfolio companies are some of the most amazing I’ve ever worked with. Fascinating technology applied in brainy…

Key Elements of Sustainable Companies

Key Elements of Sustainable Companies Leaders of three Connecticut companies that have stood the test of time share some of the keys to their success.…

Top Five Tips for Expediting a Brownfield TIF Project

Top Five Tips for Expediting a Brownfield TIF Project During the time that I have been with the Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority (CBRA), a wholly…

Does Your Startup Need Social Media to Thrive?

Does Your Startup Need Social Media to Thrive? If you ask any marketer whether social media is critical to building an audience, you’d be hardpressed…

Content Marketing: 55 Proven Ways to Help Your Business

Content marketing: 55 Proven ways to help your business Presented by Skilled.co

Funding Your Startup: Lessons Learned (and Advice on Avoiding Missteps)

Funding Your Startup: Lessons Learned (and Advice on Avoiding Missteps) Skipping your workout. Losing touch with a good friend. Getting sucked into Facebook/Instagram/Fantasy Football when…

Three Charts That Show the Effect of Venture Fundraising on Founder Ownership

3 charts that show the effect of venture fundraising on founder ownership Raising money inevitably dilutes the stakes of company investors, employees and founders, but…

Creating a Customer-Centric Culture

Creating a Customer-Centric Culture Abysmal customer service. Is there anything worse? Well, yeah, but when a company treats you poorly, it’s still pretty upsetting. If…

Playing Up Your Startup’s Culture to Attract and Retain Talent

Playing Up Your Startup’s Culture to Attract and Retain Talent If you’re anything like the entrepreneurs we talk to every day, one of your biggest…

Setting Goals for Your Startup

Setting Goals for Your Startup. You know you should be setting goals for your company and the various departments within it. But you’ve tabled the…

Congratulations, You Sold Your Company. Do This Next.

Congratulations, You Sold Your Company. Do This Next. You did it! You sold your tech company. You now belong to a group of elite entrepreneurs…

Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Insurance

Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Insurance If you’re creating a company from scratch, you’re probably spending most of your energy finding customers, building your…

How to Ensure the Success of Your Company When You’re No Longer at the Helm

How to Ensure the Success of Your Company When You’re No Longer at the Helm Did you know that 50 percent of founder CEOs are…

Why Fintech Disruptors Are Good for Big Banks

Why Fintech Disruptors Are Good for Big Banks The financial crisis has been over for some time now, and the banking industry has recovered. Arguably,…

Five Steps to Protect Your Digital Health Company’s Reputation

Five Steps to Protect Your Digital Health Company’s Reputation If you’ve been following the Theranos catastrophe, you know that the consumer healthcare technology startup has…

Five Tips for a Winning Fintech Pitch

Five Tips for a Winning Fintech Pitch Raising money is hard. So hard, in fact, that it is usually the first thing entrepreneurs ask us…

What Is Venture Capital?

What is Venture Capital? Venture capital has enabled the United States to support its entrepreneurial talent and appetite by turning ideas and basic science into…

The ABCs of Getting Noticed (A Marketing Primer)

The ABCs of Getting Noticed (A Marketing Primer) Marketing an organization, big or small, can be an overwhelming endeavor for any business owner to consider.…

Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention: What You Need to Know

Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention: What You Need to Know Building a company is hard. The hours are grueling, the decision-making endless, and the tasks…

Help Me!

Help me! Three business pros explain what they can do for your startup. Learn more about their roles, advice and benefits of working with each…

Can You Take a Vacation Without Calling the Office? If Not, You Need This Plan

Can You Take a Vacation Without Calling the Office? If Not, You Need this Plan When you’re building your business, typically the last thing on…

A 30-Year Veteran Investor on the Mistake He Wishes You’d Stop Making, and Why He Prefers Younger Entrepreneurs

A 30-Year Veteran Investor On the Mistake He Wishes You’d Stop Making, and Why He Prefers Younger Entrepreneurs Russell “Russ” Tweeddale, an engineer, Marine, and…

The Relationship Guru

The Relationship Guru An executive coach and expert on leadership excellence, Claudio Toyama excels at inspiring lasting transformations in C-level executives and their companies. His…

Entrepreneurs—Wary of Dilution? A Perspective to Consider

Entrepreneurs—Wary of Dilution? A Perspective to Consider Most entrepreneurs are loath to give up equity—anyone who has ever watched Shark Tank knows that. And it…

Simplifying HR, Benefits and Payroll with Technology

Simplifying HR, Benefits and Payroll with Technology Whether your company is firmly established with hundreds of employees or is a new, two-man startup, managing your…

Financing Growth Ventures to Minimize Equity Dilution

Financing Growth Ventures to Minimize Equity Dilution An entrepreneurial team’s mission is to develop and grow its venture and to optimize the management team’s equity…

Team Building Ideas for Small Businesses

Team Building ideas for a Small Business Looking to ensure that your team stays focused and collaborative? Read on for some fun, free team-building exercises…

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 4)

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 4) The world of patents is constantly changing. Recent developments could have a major effect…

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 3)

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 3) The world of patents is constantly changing. Recent developments could have a major effect…

Lenders: Do You Have These Critical Environmental Due Diligence Items on Your Checklist?

Lenders: Do You Have These Critical Environmental Due Diligence Items on Your Checklist? Environmental issues rarely result in liability for secured lenders thanks to legal…

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 2)

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 2) The world of patents is constantly changing. Recent developments could have a major effect…

How an Intern Can Impact a Small Business

How an Intern Can Impact a Small Business Thinking about hiring an intern for your company? Concerned that training one will be too much work,…

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 1)

Patents: Beyond the Basics – Current Risks and Opportunities (Part 1) The world of patents is constantly changing. Recent developments could have a major effect…

Smart Strategies for Addressing Medical Device Reimbursement

Smart Strategies for Addressing Medical Device Reimbursement Healthcare insurance reimbursement is complicated. But for medical device developers, it can mean the difference between commercialization and…

Hire a Payroll Vendor?

Hire a Payroll Vendor? Weigh the Pros and Cons of Payroll Outsourcing  Payroll is a complex function that involves detailed and confidential recordkeeping, tracking and…

Writing a Compelling Executive Summary

9 Tips on How to Write a Compelling Executive Summary for Investors How to convince investors your market-changing business idea is something credible and compelling…

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 4)

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 4) Answering Your Top 12 Questions on Strategy Part 4 In this four-part Q&A series, six patent attorneys from Dilworth…

The Realities of Small Business/Large Business Interactions

The Realities of Small Business/Large Business Interactions Strategic partnerships between small and large businesses can be complicated to establish, but once one is place, the…

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 3)

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 3) Answering Your Top 12 Questions on Strategy Part 3 In this four-part Q&A series, six patent attorneys from Dilworth…

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 2)

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 2) Answering Your Top 12 Questions on Strategy Part 2  In this four-part Q&A series, six patent attorneys from Dilworth…

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 1)

Patents: Beyond the Basics (Part 1) In this four-part Q&A series, six patent attorneys from Dilworth IP answer 12 patent strategy questions posed by Connecticut…

Business Owners’ Exit Options

Business Owners’ Exit Options Business owners planning for retirement may have a greater range of exit options available to them than they realize. If they…

Mastering Cash Management

Mastering Cash Management Effective Cash Flow Strategies for Growing Companies If you have been fortunate enough to hit that sweet spot wherein, through hard work,…

Customer Loyalty: Delight Them with Your Product, Amaze Them with Your Solutions

Customer Loyalty: Delight Them with Your Product, Amaze Them with Your Solutions How to take customers from satisfied to loyal and grow your business Whether…

Why Outsourcing HR May Be the Smartest Decision Your Business Makes

Benefits of HR Outsourcing - Why it May be a Smart Decision HR may sound boring, but it’s important. Learn how venture-backed small businesses can…

Employment Agreements: Who Needs Them? When Should a Startup Company Have Them?

Startup Employment Agreements: When Should a Company Have Them? Companies whether long established or just starting up—are not required to offer a written employment agreement…

The Ins and Outs of In-Licensing

The Ins and Outs of In-Licensing - What is In-Licensing? In the research, development and design of new products, an increasing number of startups are…

Budgeting and Financial Statements for Startups

Budgeting and Financial Statements & Financial Plans for Startups In addition to the hundreds of other things you must think about when starting your business…

The Importance of Estate Planning for the Closely Held Company

Estate & Succession Planning for the Closely Held Company Why is estate planning so important for the closely held company? Let’s consider two scenarios: Scenario…

A Startup Blueprint for HR and Insurance

A Startup Blueprint for HR and Insurance You’ve recruited, interviewed and identified the ideal professionals to fill open positions within your growing business. Job offers…

How to Use Twitter for B2B

How to Use Twitter for B2B These days, the value of using Twitter for business is not in question. For many B2B companies, the question…

Exit and Succession Planning

Exit and Succession Planning For the entrepreneur business owner, succession and transition planning is not only a complex proposition but also a difficult challenge. Deciding…

Government Contracting: Is Your Business Ready?

Government Contracting: Is Your Business Ready? Hundreds of thousands of businesses across the United States have used government contracting to effectively grow their business. Their…

Understanding the Differences: B Corps and Benefit Corporations

Understanding the Differences: B Corps and Benefit Corporation For more about the differences between B Corps and Benefit Corporations, check out “B Corps vs. Benefit…

Don’t Hire Duds!

Don't Hire Duds! Why You Should Never Skimp on the Hiring Process, Plus Three Tips to Make Your Next Candidate Search More Successful Your company…

Preparing for IP Licensing Negotiations

10 Tips for Preparing for IP Licensing Negotiations You have created an invention. You have found the perfect business partner--someone with the capital and connections…

10 Tips on Reaching Out to the Media

10 Tips on Reaching Out to the Media You’re busy building your product or service and don’t have the time to add media outreach to…

Collateral Design Quick Tips

Collateral Design Quick Tips These collateral design quick tips can help you effectively promote your company and products. Link to PDF

Revenue Recognition – Why Is It So Important?

Revenue Recognition: Criteria and Why It's So Important Today’s financial world puts a great emphasis on meeting targets. From the perspective of those who run…

Customer Discovery: How to Find Early Adopters

Customer Discovery: How to Find Early Adopters Maximizing the value of early adopters can help your brand succeed When former Connecticut Innovations portfolio client Open…

Where the World’s Most Innovative Companies Come to Grow

Where the World’s Most Innovative Companies Come to Grow Below, download a copy of an overview of our programs that was featured in the annual…

Conquering the Wild World of International Sales

Why Conquering the Wild World of International Sales Less than 1 percent of U.S. businesses export, and of those, nearly two-thirds export to only one…

Gearing Up to Manufacture in Connecticut

Gearing Up to Manufacture in Connecticut Nearly 5,000 manufacturers make up Connecticut’s manufacturing base, which is among the most productive and capable in the world.…

When Should a Startup Company Engage a Law Firm?

When Should a Company Engage with a Law Firm I asked a friend, the CEO of an emerging, venture-backed company, the question posed in the…

How to Develop an Indirect Rate for Your SBIR Proposal

How to Develop an Indirect Rate for Your SBIR Proposal In this webinar, Ed Jameson of Jameson & Co. CPAs will show you how important…

How to Recruit and Retain Top Talent

How to Recruit and Retain Top Talent that Make the Best Employees Even in a competitive job market, you need a strategy to attract and…

Deciphering Term Sheets

Deciphering Term Sheets An entrepreneur’s first dose of “reality” about the venture capital community often comes when a potential investor generates and delivers a term…

IP Basics for Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups, Part 2 of 2: Trademarks and Copyrights

IP Basics for Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups, Part 2 of 2: Trademarks and Copyrights Understanding intellectual property (IP) is important to the success of any…

Raising VC Money: How Much Do I Need, and How Much Do I Ask For?

Uncovering How Much You Need and How to ask VC Investors for Money When deciding how much money to ask for, your first instinct is…

Free Course: “How to Build a Startup”

Free Course: "How to Build a Startup" Steve Blank, a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur has designed a free course on “How to Build a Startup”…

How to Establish an SBIR Accounting System that Can Withstand a Government Audit

How to Establish an SBIR Accounting System that Can Withstand a Government Audit In this webinar, Ed Jameson of Jameson & Co. CPAs explains why…

Top Five Mistakes Startups Make with Social Media

Top Five Mistakes Startups Make with Social Media When it comes to social media marketing, how can you get ahead? What mistakes should you avoid?…

What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About the Angel Investor Community

What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About the Angel Investor Community TLearn where angel investors are, what motivates them, why they are important, and what types…

IP Basics for Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups, Part 1 of 2: Patents and Trade Secrets

IP Basics for Entrepreneurs and Tech Startups, Part 1 of 2: Patents and Trade Secrets Learn about patents and trade secrets and how they may…

Oops, I Broke a Covenant

"Oops, I Broke a Covenant": Covenant Breaches, Issues & Problems In an earlier article, I wrote about how important having a “cash runway” is to…

Engaging the Media: Perfecting the Pitch

Engaging the Media: Perfecting the Pitch Your organization is experiencing tremendous momentum. Profits are up. You have penetrated new markets and hired an additional 50…

Banker to Entrepreneur: Your Product May Be “Aces,” But “Cash Is King”

Banker to Entrepreneur: Your Product May Be “Aces,” But “Cash Is King” “Cash is king.” This age-old adage is never truer than with young companies…

What to Expect When Seeking Financing for a Commercial Construction Project

Commercial Construction Financing: What to Expect When Seeking Financing You have an idea for what you’d like to build but need to find an appropriate…

Audit vs. Review

Financial Statements Compilation vs. Audit vs. Review As a company grows and matures, it will likely eventually need the assistance of a certified public accounting…

Venture Capital Deal Process and Key Terms

Venture Capital Deal Process and Key Terms Click here for the accompanying podcast. Click here for the accompanying PowerPoint. In this podcast, learn from Frank…

The Importance of Business Models

Startup Business Models Premature scaling is not a skin disease. It’s the primary cause of startup failure, according to a recent Startup Genome blog post.…

Tips for Preparing a Business Plan

Tips for Preparing a Business Plan Entrepreneurs often ask us for a sample business plan and for tips on how to prepare a plan. First…

How a Technology Assessment Can Help You

How a Technology Assessment Can Help You Before you dive headfirst into making your product idea a reality – which we know will require a…

The Startup Owner’s Manual

The Startup Owner’s Manual The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company Chapter Two – The Path to the Epiphany: The Customer Development Model By…

Is a Freedom to Operate Opinion Important?

What is Freedom to Operate Opinion? FTO Analysis & Patents In certain circumstances, it may be advisable or necessary for a company to obtain a…

Build a Borrowing Strategy

Build a Borrowing Strategy Questions to ask yourself when you are ready to grow your business. Many companies are now finding that they have weathered…

Exit Strategy: Positioning Your Company to Be Sold or Acquired

Business Exit Strategy: Positioning Company to Be Sold or Acquired If you were given a 50 percent chance that your company would fail after acquisition,…

How to Write a Press Release

How to Write a Press Release Something special is happening and you want to tell everyone. How do you get the word out? For the…

How to Expedite Your Loan Application

How to Expedite Your Loan Application If you plan to apply for a business loan and would like to expedite the turnaround time for a…

The Pros and Cons of Debt vs. Equity

The Pros and Cons of Debt Vs. Equity Should a growing (and scaling) business seek debt financing or an equity investment? That is the question.…

How I Did It – An Interview with Andy Greenawalt

How I Did It – An Interview with Andy Greenawalt Andy is the founder and CEO of Continuity Control. He’s a startup veteran, having been…

Why Your Company Should (Probably) Bootstrap

Why Your Company Should (Probably) Bootstrap In my work, I see a lot of companies looking for investment. At the Angel Investor Forum (AIF), of…

Finding the Right VC for Your Company

Finding the Right VC for Your Company Tips from Successful Entrepreneurs Transforming a great idea into a successful company takes money. If you’re an entrepreneur,…

Managing Growth – Recognizing and Hitting Transition Points

Managing Growth – Recognizing and Hitting Transition Points Most startups fail. A recent study of 2,000 venture capital-backed businesses showed that 75% failed in three…