Connecticut Resources

Entrepreneur Innovation Awards

Jessica Dodge
Program Manager
CTNext
865 Brook Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(860) 258-7874
Jessica.Dodge@ctinnovations.com

Purpose of Initiative

CTNext is a support network for Connecticut entrepreneurs looking to give the state’s most promising startups grants of up to $10,000 to fund projects that help to advance businesses. Selected applicants are then invited to one of our Entrepreneur Innovation Awards (EIAs) events for the final phase of review, which includes the opportunity for an in-person presentation to a panel comprised of entrepreneurial experts.

Eligibility

Any Connecticut startup is eligible. Projects for an EIA must have a clear deliverable milestone that helps a company propel itself to the next stage. Projects can include:

small-scale prototyping
preparatory work for R&D
performance testing
compliance testing
product or service development
innovation or technology audits
market research
customer development
engineering design
technology transfer
licensing

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

Online application
PowerPoint describing the company, proposed project and budget (template provided)
Letters of good standing from the Department of Labor, Secretary of State and Department of Revenue Services
An optional five-minute video pitch, specific to the proposed project
Online registration as a CTNext Member

Award Details

Although each project cannot exceed $10,000, applicants are eligible to win $30,000 in grants over the lifetime of the company. Therefore, applicants can submit and be awarded $10,000 grants up to three times.

Updated March 2018, Kristin Stiner

HEADQUARTERS

3161 Union Street
N. Chili, NY 14514

MAILING ADDRESS

Dawnbreaker, Inc.
2117 Buffalo Rd., Suite 193
Rochester, NY 14624

PHONE

(585) 617-9420
Fax: (585) 594-8623

Developing Network Contacts (DevNC)

When you need to reach out...

There are times when you need to reach out to others – whether you are looking for potential customers, potential partners, or potential investors. But who should you call…and how do you address your fear of contacting them. The DevNC is a unique market research tool designed to provide you with between 25 and 30 Points of Contact (PoC). With each POC, information is included that provides insight about the person’s role. Depending on their position, other information commonly included relates to their background, articles that they have written, conference presentations and other pertinent information. This type of information enables you to customize your correspondence. Contact information is also included – typically LinkedIn, email and phone number.

Competitor Analysis

Your customers know your competitors! Do you?

Maybe you believe that you don’t have any competition, but your customers know better! Their needs are being addressed now – perhaps not as well, but if there is a need, someone is providing a solution. Learn about the competition and be prepared to differentiate your solution from that of others. Dawnbreaker’s competitor analysis contrasts your competition on specifications, performance and price. Armed with this information we can help you create a compelling value proposition.

DoD Transition Information Packet (TIP)®

The Transition Information Packet (TIP)is a market research report specifically developed for small businesses working with the Department of Defense.

Customized Market Research (CMR)®

Filling in the gaps in your commercialization strategy….

The CMR provides our team with the greatest flexibility in addressing gaps in the information you need to refine your commercialization strategy. Based strictly on secondary literature, the market researcher can look for information that will help you understand changes in government regulations, market dynamics, emerging solutions, sources of funding, points of contact and other challenges you pose. Based on the information gathered, a business strategist will add comments throughout regarding the implications of the information for your strategy.

LICA Licensee Analysis®

Who will take the best care of your baby?

You’ve done a great job with your R&D. You’ve been careful to protect your intellectual property – but those next steps to bring the product to market seem out of reach. There’s too much competition, scale up would be too expensive – so you’ve decided to license-out your intellectual property. The challenge before you is to find the best licensee to bring your baby to market. Let us help you. We will profile organizations that frequently cite your patents and dig deeper to determine their financial health, technology and market synergies, and experience with licensing-in.