Fall 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund FORGE Product Development Grant

Now accepting applications through November 24, 2025

FORGE is awarding non-dilutive grants of $30K–$100K to bridge the gap between prototype and production for Connecticut-based hardtech startups working with Connecticut manufacturers and supply chain companies.

This round, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund, enables Connecticut-based startups to contract with in-state manufacturers and suppliers. If you can invent it here, you should be empowered to make it here!

L-R: Trinell Ball, David Ellis (CPS Fluidics), Laura Teicher, Paul Lavoie, Colin Ng (AtlasXomics) and Jeffrey Sabina (AtlasXomics) pose with AtlasXomics' $70,350 Product Development Grant award.
Recent FORGE Connecticut Product Development Grant winners. L-R: Trinell Ball, David Ellis (CPS Fluidics), Laura Teicher, Paul Lavoie, Colin Ng (AtlasXomics) and Jeffrey Sabina (AtlasXomics)

Timeline

  • Applications open: October 14, 2025
  • Application Q&A opens: November 4, 2025 – November 11, 2025
  • Application deadline: November 24, 2025
  • Award announcements: January 22, 2026 at the FORGE CT Product Development Grant Event (event details TBD)

Eligibility

  • Must be a hardtech or physical product startup
  • Must be registered as a company in Connecticut
  • Must have a working prototype
  • Must use grant funds to contract with CT-based suppliers
  • Must agree to participate in grant reporting and follow-up with FORGE
  • If awarded, must be available to attend and participate in the January 22, 2026 event
  • Applicants cannot have received more than $10,000 in funding from FORGE in the last 12 months

Grant details

  • Awards range from $30K–$100K in non-dilutive funding
  • Grant funds must be used to support product development in CT tied to manufacturing readiness
  • Competitive process with limited funding
  • FORGE provides guidance and matchmaking with suppliers throughout
Apply now

If you’d like help identifying a Connecticut-based supplier to partner with, schedule a FORGE Product Development Session with us.

Looking for inspiration? See how other innovators have used FORGE Product Development Grant awards in our Success Stories.

We anticipate launching additional rounds of Product Development Grants in other states or through other partners in the coming year. Check our Open Opportunities regularly or subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when applications open for the next round of grants.