What Makes CT Innovative?
Innovative activity throughout the Hartford region is putting Connecticut on the map as a top-ranking innovation hub. Read stories about researchers creating cutting-edge technologies, developments in MedTech, and advances in STEM-related initiatives.
Connecticut Legends of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
From its roots in manufacturing and insurance to its innovative technology corridor, Connecticut is filled with stories about trailblazers.
Innovation from Within: CohnReznick
“In terms of the world of innovation, it’s really about the supply chain of ideas and solutions,” explains CohnReznick Chief Innovation Officer Tama Huang. “Someone may have an idea for something that can be done better, and we have talent that knows how to do it. When we bring these two things together and give them room to explore, fail often, fail uniquely, and fail quickly, innovation happens.”
Defining Innovation
Join IDH for an engaging panel discussion and learn new perspectives from local innovators and entrepreneurs creating and implementing all kinds of cutting-edge concepts.
Hartford’s Parkville Neighborhood—A 21st Century Innovation District
The spirit of innovation is again taking wing in Parkville, with a new push by city leaders and the private sector to foster a 21st century hotbed of startups, particularly in advance manufacturing and cost-saving technology for the insurance industry.
Indian Robotics Startup Finds a Home in Hartford
"One thing the Stanley+Techstars Accelerator program and even the network of Hartford has enabled us to do is connect to the right people who can provide guidance,” says Peer Robotics CEO and Co-Founder Rishabh Agarwal.
CT Startup Offers Reconstructive Breakthrough After Breast Surgery
“As scientists, we want to address medical problems with viable solutions that can change people’s lives,’’ says Jacob Quint of startup InPrint Bio.
Aquiline Drones And MakerspaceCT Partner To Launch Mobile Manufacturing Pods
“We are redefining manufacturing and assembling goods in a post-COVID-19 world,” said Aquiline Drones CEO Barry Alexander.
Global Biotech Startup HQs in Connecticut
“All the opportunity is here,” says A.D.A.M. (Advanced Development of Additive Manufacturing) Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Denys Gurak. “Connecticut is a very good location in terms of logistics and there’s a great scientific and business ecosystem.”
CT Startup Creates AI for Predicting Weather Impacts
“Don’t build everything and go before really determining your customers’ pain points, because you won’t know exactly what you’re solving for. It’s best to partner with the customers to build something useful,” advises ACW Analytics CEO Dr. Vijay Jayachandran.
CT Startup Creates Innovative Medical Device
“The biggest challenge in a startup is focus. It’s important to dedicate resources to very specific tasks and avoid trying to capture every opportunity available,” says Woven Orthopedic Technologies Co-Founder and President Brandon Bendes.
JAX Scientific Director Discusses Technology, Science, and Genomics
There’s an incredible level of collegiality here at JAX and throughout Connecticut, which is so conducive to quickly establishing new collaborations,” says Dr. Charles Lee, Scientific Director and Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine.
Aquiline Drones Sees a Bright Future in Hartford
Aquiline Drones Founder and CEO Barry Alexander spoke to MetroHartford Alliance Content Manager Nan Price about creating a drone company in a region well-known for aviation.
Meeting at the Crossroads of Innovation and Insurance
At the ITC + DIA World Tour stop in Hartford, Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS) Vice President and Executive Director Susan Winkler moderated a panel with community leaders, who discussed the importance of innovation and the insurance industry.
Connecticut Has Presence in National Inventors Hall of Fame, Including Some Less-Than-Household Names
Did you know that since 1973, 17 inventors with Connecticut connections have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame?
UConn Faculty Receive Federal Funding to Develop Self-Administered Microneedle COVID-19 Vaccine Technology
University of Connecticut faculty recently partnered with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop a single-use, self-administered microneedle vaccine technology for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
MOVIA Robotics Provides Virtual Learning Assistance for Children with Special Needs
"We felt there was a real need to get the product into homes since these kids can’t go into schools to get their services or have people come to their homes," explains MOVIA President Timothy Gifford.
Connecticut Friends Collaborate with Hartford Hospital to Design and 3D Print Ventilator Parts
Adam Powojski and Jay Alessi, two friends who met at Pratt and Whitney, combined their design and 3D printing skills to offer their help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Connecticut 3D Printing Company Collaborates to Create Life-Saving Ventilator Splitter
"The hope is that, somewhere, somehow, in some circumstances it’s going to help somebody," says InterPRO Additive Manufacturing Group CEO Kevin Dyer.
MakerspaceCT Provides Solutions to Meet Community Need for Personal Protective Equipment
“We have a community of makers working to source materials, design and improve prototypes, assemble products, and quickly get the products to the people who need it to support our communities. That’s what Makerspaces are here to do anyway—support our communities and support making,” says MakerspaceCT Founder Devra Sisitsky.
CT Cosmetics Owner Switches Operations to Hand Sanitizer to Help Combat Coronavirus
After investigating the possibilities, Mizzi Cosmetics Founder Brenda Mierzejewski introduced two new products to her line: Healthy Hands sanitizer and salve.
Oak Hill CEO Talks Healthcare Innovation and Economic Impact
Oak Hill President and CEO Barry Simon talks about healthcare innovation, how healthcare reform impacts Connecticut, and the important role of the Connecticut Health Council.
ISO 56000: Providing Standards for Innovation
“The relevance of ISO 56000 today is important because we’re going through the fourth industrial revolution. If we want to adopt it, we need to understand how things are happening,” says says Inspiring Next Founder Dr. Ripi Singh.
UConn Highlights Decades of Innovation
“UConn has a lot to celebrate when it comes to innovative faculty and students,” says Radenka Maric, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
CT Healthcare Services Company Provides Innovative Solutions
Connecticut healthcare services company Physicians Ancillary Systems was created based on a personal and market need.
Hartford InsurTech Hub Welcomes Top Startups for 2020
Hartford InsurTech Hub, powered by Startupbootcamp, announced its 2020 cohort of startups.
CT Robot Software Company Helps Children with Learning Disabilities
“It’s gratifying to receive positive responses from parents and the schools,” says Movia Robotics President and Chief Technology Officer Timothy Gifford. “It’s also great to get a positive response from the distributors who are helping us move our product. The only way we’re going to make an impact on kids with learning challenges is if we’re offering a successful product.”
STANLEY + Techstars 2019 Demo Day Showcases Innovative Startups
Hundreds of people from Hartford's innovation ecosystem attended the Stanley + Techstars Accelerator Demo Day to support innovation and entrepreneurial activity happening in our city.
InnovateCT Promotes Innovation in CT Through Education
InnovateCT Founder Nick Wagner talks about the importance of Connecticut fostering innovation through education.
MakerspaceCT Makes an Impact in Hartford
MakerspaceCT Founder Devra Sisitsky is passionate about building and contributing to the growing innovation hub in Hartford.
Hartford InsurTech Hub Creates Economic Opportunities in Hartford
Hartford InsurTech Hub Managing Director Dawn LeBlanc spoke to MetroHartford Alliance Content Manger Nan Price about how the accelerator attracts innovative global InsurTech startups to The Insurance Capital of the World.
Industry 4.0: We’ve Come a Long Way from Traditional Manufacturing
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is all about connectivity. New, advanced technologies are triggering massive changes and benefits in every aspect of the industry,” says SCADAfence Co-Founder & CEO Yoni Shohet.
Techstars Fosters Startup Growth in Greater Hartford
“Startups coming from all over the world realize they have access to everything they need to run their businesses here in Hartford,” says Claudia Reuter, General Manager for Techstars Americas East.
10 Startups Selected for the Hartford InsurTech Accelerator
Hartford InsurTech Hub unveiled the 2019 cohort of startups for its acceleration program. The chosen startups cover a wide range of abilities, from property insurance claims to peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance. The 10 selected startups exhibit a variety of technologies and insurance types.
Bloomfield, CT Company Creates Innovative Combustion Engine Design
LiquidPiston Co-Founder and CEO Alexander Shkolnik says he’s always had an entrepreneurial drive. Find out how he helped develop an innovative combustion engine designed to increase thermodynamic efficiency.
Hartford Joins City Innovation Ecosystem by the Hartford Business Journal
Hartford has joined the City Innovation Ecosystem Program, which supports 50 cities that have made commitments to local entrepreneurship; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education; or innovation.
CT Digital Health Startup Creates Innovative Healthcare Solution
Find out how digital health startup Sheen Health created a solution to reduce administrative expenses and increase patient revenue and satisfaction.
Innovative Biotech Startup Develops Wearable Monitoring System
Mobile Sense Technologies developed an innovative, wearable monitoring system designed to detect cardiac arrhythmias.
CT 3D Printing Supplier Talks Innovation, Technology & Collaboration
“I think the true innovation in this space…has to do with development, new applications, and business models facilitated using 3D printing,” says Director of Additive Manufacturing/Applications Engineer Nick Gondek at ACT 3D Equipment & Services.
Innovative CT Startup Improves Diesel Engine Efficiency
[Participating in the CTNext Entrepreneur Innovation Awards is] a great way to get exposure, interact with others in the entrepreneurial community, and practice presenting,” says Envirowerks Founder and Lead Engineer Patrick Emerick.
CT Biotech Startup Creates Veterinary Cancer Treatment
“Being open to accepting help, listening to the guidance of mentors, and working hard to accomplish goals for the business are the best pieces of advice to launch a successful startup,” says Torigen CEO and Founder Ashley Kalinauskas.
CT PhD on the Connection Between Science and Innovation
“In scientific research, I think you have to be innovative to be successful,” says Brenton Graveley who runs the Graveley Lab in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
Innovative CT Technology Startup American Cladding
“Even though startups are hectic, don’t forget about taking care of your employees. Also, don’t try to do everything at once—know your core competencies and stick to what you know,” advises Jeff Whittaker, President of American Cladding Technologies.
Israel-Based Startup Finds Its Place in CT
“For other companies thinking about opening operations in the United States, it can turn be a good move for you as a company to consider Connecticut,” says Kobi Benita, CEO of Israeli medical device company Nervomatrix.
CT Startup Designs Innovative, Patient Mobility Products
“Our advice to anyone starting out with a new venture is that you and you alone are responsible for deciding if your venture is a success, and that success is easier to commit to when what you are doing somehow has a positive impact on others.” — B2 Products Co-Founders Josh, Chris, and Danielle Beaulieu.
Biomaterials Tech Company Creates Innovative Plastics Alternative
“I’m a serial entrepreneur; this is my third company. At this point in my life I wanted to give back to the community and our world at large. I want to create a healthier, better, more sustainable world for the future generation. That’s why I’m in this business,” says Yumi Ecosolutions CEO Virginia P’an.
Innovation Advisory and Coaching Startup
Plus4pi President Dr. Ripi Singh discusses the mission and future goals for his startup, some of the challenges the company is facing, and the many ways he is involved in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Hartford-Based Wearable Technology Company
Wearsafe Labs Inc. Co-Founders David Benoit’s advice for entrepreneurs or startup business owners: “Continually test and refine your ideas and strategies.”