Connecticut Innovations Pre-Seed Investment Program
Connecticut Innovations
Up to $150K pre-seed
Up to $150K pre-seed for CT tech startups
Connecticut Innovations' pre-seed investment program providing up to $150,000 for early-stage technology companies that haven't yet raised formal venture financing. Requires a 50% private co-investment match. Targets bioscience, IT, clean tech, photonics, and advanced materials companies incorporated in CT with under $2M in non-grant revenue. Rolling application via online pitch deck submission.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $150,000
- Realistic amount
- Most pre-seed investments from CT Innovations are $100,000–$150,000, paired with an equal or larger private co-investmen…
- Deadline
- Rolling — pitch decks accepted year-round. Initial response within one week.
- Status
- active
- States
- CT
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Must be incorporated in Connecticut with the Secretary of State (or willing to do so before funding closes)
- Company must have been in operation for fewer than 7 years
- At least 50% of employees must be based in Connecticut
- Non-grant revenue must be under $2,000,000
- Must be a technology-based company in bioscience, IT, clean tech, photonics, or advanced materials
- Must be able to secure a minimum 50% co-investment from private sources (angel investors, friends/family, accelerator, VCs)
- University affiliations are asked for but not required
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Maximum $2,000,000 annual revenue
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Pre-seed product and technology development costs
- Engineering and technical labor for early-stage development
- Customer discovery and market validation
- IP filings and patent application costs
- Lab equipment and materials for prototype development
- Key hire salaries for founding team positions
Ineligible expenses
- Companies with over $2M in non-grant revenue
- Marketing and advertising expenses without direct product development tie
- Facilities construction or major capital improvements
- Payment to company founders as a return of invested capital
- Expenses incurred before the investment closes
How to apply
-
1
Submit pitch deck or business plan via CT Innovations' online form
Apply at ctinnovations.com/obtain-funding/apply/. Provide company information, technology description, CT incorporation status (or intent to incorporate), team background, revenue figure, and the private co-investment commitment or plan. CT Innovations responds within one week.
~3 hrs
-
2
Initial screening and meeting
Companies that pass initial screening are invited for a meeting with CT Innovations' investment team. Prepare to discuss the technology, market, team, and the source of the private co-investment (who is committing the 50% match and on what terms).
~3 hrs
-
3
Secure private co-investment commitment
Lock in your private co-investors before due diligence concludes. CT Innovations invests alongside the private capital — they do not lead unilaterally. A signed term sheet or investment commitment letter from the private co-investor is typically required before approval.
~3 hrs
-
4
Due diligence and investment committee approval
CT Innovations conducts due diligence on the technology, team, and market. Investment committee reviews and approves. Ensure CT incorporation is complete before this stage.
~3 hrs
-
5
Close and receive investment
Execute investment documents and receive CT Innovations' capital at closing, concurrent with or following the private co-investment close. Funds are typically disbursed as a lump sum.
~3 hrs
Securing the private co-investment BEFORE approaching CT Innovations significantly accelerates the process — they rarely invest without a private co-investor committed. An angel network intro (New Haven, Hartford, or Fairfield County) before applying doubles your close rate.
Deadline & timing
Rolling application with no annual deadline. Companies must be incorporated in Connecticut before funds are disbursed (not necessarily before application). The private co-investment match must be secured or committed before CT Innovations closes their side of the investment.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.