Connecticut Innovations Pre-Seed Investment Program

The Connecticut Innovations Pre-Seed Investment Program is a state-backed funding program run by Connecticut Innovations (CI), Connecticut's quasi-public authority for technology and innovation investment. It provides up to $150,000 to help early-stage, technology-based companies in Connecticut advance product development and move toward commercialization.

This is not a straightforward cash grant. The funding is structured as an investment and requires the company to secure at least a 50% private match — meaning applicants need to line up matching private funds before or alongside the CI investment. This structure matters to small business owners because it means the program works best for companies that already have some investor interest or private capital lined up, rather than businesses starting from zero.

Eligible companies must be Connecticut-based technology businesses under seven years old, working in sectors such as bioscience, information technology, clean technology, photonics, or advanced materials. Companies must have under $2 million in recurring revenue and at least half of their employees based in Connecticut.

For a small business owner in one of these tech sectors, this program can be a meaningful source of early capital to fund product development, prototyping, or steps toward bringing a product to market — but only if the business can meet the matching-funds requirement. Deadlines are described as rolling by round, so applicants should check current open rounds directly with Connecticut Innovations. Because funding amounts, match requirements, and eligibility rules can change, business owners should confirm all current details directly at the official CI program page before applying or making funding plans based on this program.