FORGE

🚀 Calling All Hardtech Innovators: The Spring 2025 FORGE Connecticut Product Development Grant Is Here! 📢 Are you ready to scale your hardware innovation and overcome critical product development challenges? This program provides non-dilutive funding to help you move forward with confidence. 💡 What’s the goal? To empower Connecticut-based hardtech companies by addressing the toughest barriers to scaling and manufacturing success. 🌟 What’s offered? -Funding between $30,000 and $100,000 to fuel your product development -Support for partnerships with Connecticut suppliers and manufacturers -Solutions to key technical challenges 🛠 Who should apply? -Companies registered in Connecticut -Hardtech innovators with an early-stage prototype (“looks like” or “works like”) -Teams committed to collaborating with CT-based manufacturers or suppliers 📅 Key Details: Deadline: February 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST Apply now: https://tally.so/r/mZGxvz 🤝 Need help finding the right supplier or manufacturer? Our team is ready to connect you with the right resources. 🔗 Get started here: https://lnkd.in/ebzHjZQm 📩 Have questions? Contact Sophie at sophie@forgeimpact.org 🌱 Let’s transform your vision into a scalable reality—the future of hardtech starts here! #FORGECT #ConnecticutInnovation #HardtechGrowth #NonDilutiveFunding #ProductDevelopment

🌟 Kick Off 2025 with Resolutions for Hard Tech Success! 🌟 A new year brings new opportunities to innovate and grow. At FORGE, we support hard tech startups on their journey from idea to impact. Start 2025 strong with these resolutions designed to help hard tech innovators thrive: 🔧 Prioritize Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Streamline your designs early to reduce costs, speed up production, and avoid costly rework. 🤝 Build Strong Networks: Connect with mentors, suppliers, and investors to unlock opportunities and resources. 💡 Embrace Lean Development: Test and iterate quickly to validate ideas and bring market-ready products faster. 📊 Improve Financial Literacy: Understand your funding options and manage resources effectively to scale confidently. 🔗 Optimize Supply Chain Relationships: Strengthen partnerships with key suppliers and manufacturers to ensure scalability and success. 🛠️ Focus on Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguard your innovations with robust patents or trade secrets to enhance valuation and protect your competitive edge. 📚 Invest in Continuous Learning: Commit to staying ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices for hard tech innovation. 🌍 Focus on Sustainability: Build eco-friendly practices into your designs and operations to align with market demands and drive responsible innovation. 👥 Build a Resilient Team: Prioritize hiring and retaining passionate, skilled individuals to create a strong foundation for growth. 🎉 Celebrate Milestones: Take time to acknowledge progress—big or small—because every win is a step toward success. At FORGE, we’re committed to empowering hard tech innovators to tackle big challenges and achieve their goals. Follow us to learn more ways to succeed in 2025. Let’s make 2025 the year of breakthrough innovations! 🚀 What are YOUR resolutions for this year? Please share them in the comments below! 👇 #HardTech #Innovation #Startups #FORGEImpact #NewYearsResolutions #ScalingSuccess

FORGE Year-End Reflection: Celebrating 2024’s Milestones As we close out 2024, we’re proud to celebrate a year of innovation, growth, and impact. Here are just a few of the highlights of what we’ve accomplished together: 🏆 Award-Winning Recognition: FORGE was honored to be named Startup Boston's Accelerator/Incubator of the Year, highlighting our commitment to innovation. 🌟 Growing Our Community: This year, we reached a milestone of 100 startups and innovators joining the FORGE CT network, strengthening our role in Connecticut. 💰 Supporting Startups with Grants: FORGE awarded tens of thousands of dollars in Product Development Grants in 2024, helping startups reach their market potential. 🔧 Workshops That Make a Difference: Online workshops like "Scaling Manufacturing" and "Design for DFX" helped overcome innovation challenges. 🌍 Engaging in the Innovation Ecosystem: FORGE hosted and partnered for multiple events in MA and CT, including the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Manufacturing Mashup at Gillette Stadium, the ClimateHaven Rocket Pitch, State of Manufacturing Springfield, and many more. These events strengthened connections and advanced our mission. 🌍 Camp Cleantech hosted by National Renewable Energy Laboratory: We joined leaders like Greentown Labs at the CSU Spur in Denver to deliver workshops to sustainability startups. 🎓 M2D2 Partnership: Through our collaboration with UMassM2D2, we provided medtech startups with support to market. 🎉 Recognizing Excellence: Congratulations to David Thompson FORGE Senior Program Director, named one of 2024’s BostInno 25 Under 25, for his exceptional contributions to startups and innovators. 📈 Building Connections: In 2024, FORGE made hundreds of startup-supplier connections. 🤝 Thank You to Our Supporters! Titanium Partners: Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, CUMMINGS FOUNDATION, Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Samtec Inc, Woka Foundation Steel Partners: American-Made Program, CONNSTEP, Inc., Dassault Systèmes, ICSN, Inc, MassMEP, Springfield Technology Park, Wolf Greenfield Iron Partners: Alpine Bearing, Alternative Manufacturing, Inc., Burt Process Equipment, Inc., Cambridge Polymer Group, Cofab Design, Hypertherm Ventures, Insperity, Kalow Technologies, LLC., New Page Associates, Inc. (NPA), Pearse Bertram+ Streamline Contract Manufacturing, PMR - Plastics Manufacturing Resources, Product Resources, Friends of FORGE: Automatic Specialties, Inc., Beacon MedTech Solutions, Daniel Consulting Group, Finish Line Product Development Services, MassDevelopment, Newgrange Design, Next Rung Technology, Sparx Engineering, and Verico Technology LLC. Together, we’ve made 2024 amazing and look forward to great things in the new year! 🔔 Follow FORGE for updates on news and events in 2025. #FORGEImpact #YearInReview #ThankYouSupporters #HardTech #InnovationEcosystem #ManufacturingInnovation

🚀 FORGE Connecticut Product Development Funding Program - Spring 2025 is NOW OPEN! 📣 Calling all hardtech innovators—don’t miss your chance to secure non-dilutive funding to take your hardware innovation to the next level! ⁉️ What is this program about? This grant is designed to help emerging hardtech companies conquer the hardware “valley of death” by addressing key product development challenges that hinder scaling and manufacturing. 🌟 What’s on offer? ✅ Awards ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 ✅ Funding for partnerships with Connecticut-based suppliers or manufacturers ✅ Resources to tackle specific product development hurdles 📋 Are you eligible? ✔️ You’re a Connecticut-registered company developing physical products ✔️ You have at least an early-stage prototype (“looks like” or “works like”) ✔️ Your project involves collaboration with CT-based suppliers or manufacturers 🗓 Application Deadline: February 7th, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST 🔗 Apply today: https://tally.so/r/mZGxvz Need help finding the right Connecticut supplier or manufacturer? We’ve got you covered! 🤝 Connect with our team to get started: https://lnkd.in/ebzHjZQm For questions, contact: sophie@forgeimpact.org 🔧 Let’s turn your vision into reality. Together, we’ll build what’s next. #FORGECT #ProductDevelopment #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Innovation #NonDilutiveFunding #Connecticut

❄️ Happy Holidays from FORGE! ❄️ 🎉 We’re so grateful for your support in driving innovation, strengthening local supply chains, and creating lasting impact. Thank you for being an essential part of the FORGE network. We wish you a joyful holiday season and a successful year ahead! #FORGEImpact #HolidayCheer #ManufacturingInnovation

📢 Discover the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut! Discover the ingenuity of Connecticut manufacturers celebrating their extraordinary accomplishments at the Manufacturing Meetup: Innovation and Industry. This event offers a unique opportunity to: ✨ Explore the Invention Dimension and Exploring Space exhibits ✨ Network with industry professionals ✨ Learn about the latest trends in manufacturing 🗓 Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025 ⏰ Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM EST 📍 Location: Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT Hosted by CONNSTEP, Inc. and the CBIA Foundation, this gathering showcases the innovation driving Connecticut's manufacturing sector. 📢 Special thanks to the Connecticut Science Center for providing a dynamic setting for this celebration! Don’t miss this chance to connect, celebrate, and get inspired by the brightest minds and creations in Connecticut manufacturing. 🎟 Sign Up now to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/eBSGpyT3 #ManufacturingInnovation #CoolestThingMadeInCT #NetworkingEvent #CTManufacturers #Innovation #Industry #ManufacturingLeadership

FORGE Welcomes Two New Leaders to Our Board of Directors! We proudly welcome Sheri Palazzo and Pedro Arce to the FORGE Board of Directors! Both bring outstanding expertise, passion, and leadership to support our mission of helping innovators and startups bring physical products to market.   💠 Sheri Palazzo is a startup coach and mentor with 25+ years of experience at HP, GE, Bose, and multiple startups. As a leader in product design, manufacturing, and operations, Sheri now leads Saplings Consulting full-time and serves as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Greentown Labs. Her dedication to supporting startups and mentorship has earned her awards, such as Boston’s Best Tech Manager Timmy Award and Cleantech Open Northeast / ACT Mentor of the Year. 💠Perdro Arce, Senior Vice President at M&T Bank, brings over three decades of experience in banking, community development, and commercial lending. Pedro has served in multiple advisory roles, including with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and numerous community organizations. Named SBA Minority Lender of the Year in 2023, Pedro champions partnerships that empower small businesses at every stage. Meet the FORGE Board of Directors: https://lnkd.in/eYwdwCZt Sheri and Pedro A.’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue accelerating innovation and manufacturing success for startups. Welcome to the team! #FORGEImpact #StartupSupport #BoardLeadership #ManufacturingInnovation #StartupSuccess

Thrilled to see that one of FORGE's success stories is growing. Are you a sourcing professisional looking to join an exciting company leading the charge in sustainability? If so, check out this opportunity to join the Phoenix Tailings team. Read about the FORGE/Phoenix Tailings success story that helped pave the way: https://lnkd.in/ezgESAnP

🌟FORGE Connecticut Product Development Program: Spring 2025 🌟 Hardtech innovators, applications for the FORGE Product Development Funding Program are now open! 🚀 This non-dilutive grant is designed to help emerging hardtech companies overcome the hardware “valley of death” by addressing critical product development challenges that are barriers to scaling and manufacturing. 🔑 What’s on offer? ⚡Awards ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 ⚡ Funds to collaborate with Connecticut-based suppliers or contract manufacturers ⚡ Support for solving specific product development challenges 📋 Eligibility: ✅ CT-registered companies developing physical products ✅ Minimum of an early-stage prototype (“looks like” or “works like”) ✅ Project collaboration with CT-based suppliers or manufacturers 🗓 Applications close on February 7th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. 📝 Apply Today: https://tally.so/r/mZGxvz Don’t miss this opportunity to access funding that moves your hardware innovation forward! If you need help connecting to the right Connecticut supplier or manufacturer, FORGE can help! 🔗 Sign up for a meeting with our team to get started: https://lnkd.in/ebzHjZQm For questions, contact sophie@forgeimpact.org. 🔧Let’s build what’s next—together. #FORGECT #ProductDevelopment #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Innovation #NonDilutiveFunding #Connecticut

🌟 Calling all medtech and biotech innovators! 🌟 The 14th annual M2D2 $200K Challenge is officially kicking off, and applications open on January 3rd! 🚀 Join UMassM2D2 for a special info session on Wednesday, January 15th, from 2 to 3 PM EST to get an insider's look at this exciting opportunity. Why attend? ➡️ Learn what Challenge sponsors are looking for ➡️ Understand the rules, timelines, and key dates ➡️ Get expert tips to make your application stand out ➡️ Participate in a live Q&A to have all your questions answered The M2D2 $200K Challenge is your chance to compete for $200,000 in sponsor-provided in-kind services and $75,000 in cash awards to bring your groundbreaking innovations to life. Event Details: 🗓 Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 🕑 Time: 2–3 PM EST 🌐 Location: Online 👉 Register now and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eucPRyD6 Don't miss this opportunity to turn your vision into reality. See you there! #MedTech #BioTech #Innovation #StartupCompetition #M2D2Challenge