FORGE Connecticut Product Development Funding Program Spring 2025

The FORGE Product Development Funding Program (PDFP) is non-dilutive funding awarded to emerging hardtech companies to support the development of a physical product and overcome the hardware “valley-of-death”.
The goal of the grant is to remove barriers to scale and manufacturing, providing the necessary funds to solve for a specific product development challenge critical to the company’s ability to scale and/or reach the marketplace. Successful grant application will pinpoint that challenge and articulate how the grant funds will be used to overcome the roadblock, using Connecticut-based contract manufacturing and/or supplier resource/s*.
This funding opportunity is open to CT-registered companies developing physical products, regardless of their sector. All applicants must have at minimum an early stage physical prototype, both “looks like” and “works like” prototypes are eligible.
Awards will range from $30,000 to $100,000 and must be used by the winning company to address a specific product development challenge.
Funds may be applied toward work carried out by a Connecticut-based supplier, as evidenced by accompanying quotes and/or work orders. This includes purchases of supplies, materials, or machinery from CT-based suppliers to support in-house manufacturing or product development. Companies may also use funds to collaborate with a Connecticut-based contract manufacturer or product development firm.

Eligibility Criteria: 1. The applying company must be registered within the state of CT.
2. The funding must be used towards a CT-based firm, with supporting accompanying quote/s or work order/s included in your application*
3. If selected as a winner, a representative of your company must be able to present your project in person, at a public FORGE event in CT, date TBD.
4. The applying company cannot have received over $10,000 in non-dilutive funding from FORGE in the last 12 months.
5. Winning companies are required to share proof of project execution and payment and provide follow up data as requested by FORGE.
6. To help us understand the outcomes of our funding and how it may set the stage for future wins, we ask that you provide brief updates on key milestones, successes, and any additional opportunities that arise as a result of this grant. *If you need help identifying CT-based manufacturers or suppliers to work with, FORGE is here to help! Please sign up for a meeting with the program team here, at no cost, to discuss. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. This application will close February 7th, 2025 at 11:59PM EST.

Initial Screening

Is your company registered in CT?

A

Yes

B

No

Please upload proof that your company is registered in CT.

Size limit: 10 MB

Do you have a physical prototype?

In order to be considered, you must have at least a basic prototype - both “looks like” and “works like” prototypes are eligible. Any product beyond the prototype stage is eligible to receive funding.

Do you have a physical prototype?

A

Yes

B

No

Do you have a quote or work order from the CT based supplier firm?

A

Yes

B

No

By checking this box you acknowledge the fund disbursement will go directly to the supplier after you indicate their invoice is due.

I acknowledge

If selected as a finalist, a representative of your company would be able to present your project at a FORGE event, date TBD, and you are willing to provide FORGE with a success story for public use

A

Yes

B

No

By checking this box, I confirm that my company has not received more than $10,000 in FORGE Product Development Grant in the last twelve months.

I acknowledge

By checking this box, I confirm that my company is not currently in any outstanding legal disputes

I acknowledge

Questions About Your Company

Please answer the following questions so that FORGE can understand your company background and mission.

Company Name

Please briefly describe your company mission.

Company Sector

A

Aerospace and Transportation

B

Agriculture

C

Water and Bluetech

D

Building and Energy Efficiency

E

Chemical and Advanced Materials

F

Consumer Products

G

Defense

H

Energy Generation/Storage/Distribution

I

Medical Device and Diagnostics

J

Robotics, Process Efficiency, and Waste Reduction

K

Smart Cities

L

Telecommunications

M

IOT

N

Manufacturing

O

Materials

P

Assistive Tech

Contact Name

Contact Title

A

CEO

B

CTO

C

COO

D

Founder

E

Director

F

President

G

Engineer

H

Manager

I

Other

Contact Email

Contact Phone Number

Company Website (If Applicable)

Company Location (City & State)

Number of Employees (Full-time + Part-time)

Approximate Amount of Capital Raised

This helps us to understand the demographic lifestage of your company; your response will not work against you for the purpose of this application.

Which method(s) of funding make up your raised capital?

Venture Capital

Friends/Family

Crowdfunding

Self-funded/Bootstrapping

Government Grants/SBIR

Non-dilutive/Awards

Other

Approximate Amount of Revenue Earned

This helps us to understand the demographic lifestage of your company. Your response will not work against you for the purposes of this application.

Number of Products Launched.

The number of product lines your company has made available for purchase historically.

Have you worked with FORGE before?

Your response will not work against you for the purposes of this application. If you have worked with FORGE in the past, please still respond to the questions in full detail.

Questions About Your Company, Product, Current Development State, and Specific Challenge

Please briefly describe your business model and target market in 350 words or less.

Please briefly describe your product

Please describe your company's current level of market validation.

Please select your build stage.

A

1. APPEARANCE MODEL: Target customer with specific problem identified. Rendered images and mockups for exploration and verification of specific market and customer requirements, and beginning translation to technical specs and manufacturing processes.

B

2. PROOF OF CONCEPT: Key parts and assemblies complete and able to be tested using models and simulations. Might not look like a product, but demonstrates feasibility and explores risks. Developing product requirements and engineering documentation.

C

3. ENGINEERING PROTOTYPE: Full subsystems built independently, but not yet totally integrated into the product package.

D

4. ALPHA PROTOTYPE (LOOKS LIKE OR WORKS LIKE): Subsystems combined, and designed to test and evaluate basic processes for flaws. Bill of materials and assembly instructions developed. Customer requirements should be validated.

E

5. BETA PROTOTYPE ENGINEERING: Beginning multi-unit production with “production type” tooling. Product development process progresses through completing engineering tests and meeting quality and other product specifications.

F

6. BETA PROTOTYPE DESIGN (LOOKS LIKE & WORKS LIKE): Product built using scale production quality tooling, materials and processes. Bill of process developed. Ready for validation of quality in customer tests and regulatory and/or certification tests.

G

7. PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPED: Nearly complete use of production materials, processes, and assemblies. Product meets all the requirements for the market. Packaging & shipping in place for soft launch, and regulatory documents complete.

H

8. PILOT PRODUCTION: System design is complete and stable for a successful pilot production run. Materials, tooling, test equipment and facilities are proven and are available to meet the planned low rate production schedule.

I

9. LOW RATE PRODUCTION: All systems engineering and design requirements are met with minimal system changes required. Low-rate production complete. Manufacturing process review and efficiencies explored. Lean manufacturing improvements set in place.

J

10. MANUFACTURING FULL: All processes in place for commercial growth, entering production and sustainment phases. Lean practices are well established and continuous process improvements are ongoing.

Please describe the physical product development roadblock/s you are facing, i.e. the reason that led to this project, in 400 words or less.

Please describe the specific project you wish to pursue and how this funding will accelerate your physical product development timeline and/or build stage, in 400 words or less.

Explain why the opportunity has not yet been realized and why now is the right time to address it.

Please list your timeline up to this point. Include any future milestones and deliverables this project would help to achieve.

How will this funding serve as a catalyst for your company’s growth and impact? Please explain the impact on your development, and how this support will enable you to achieve broader success and contribute to the innovation ecosystem.

Please describe how you will leverage additional opportunities outside of this grant to continue advancing your innovation to improve beyond its current status.

Please attach an accompanying quote, budget, and/or work order.

In order to be eligible for this grant, these funds must be directed towards a CT based firm.

Size limit: 10 MB

Please attach any letters of intent from pilot sites or potential customers.

Optional

Size limit: 10 MB

Please confirm the award amount you are requesting.

The requested amount should reflect the quote/work order/s submitted.

Demographic Questions

These optional questions will help FORGE understand who we’re currently reaching, and set goals for diversity and inclusion.

What gender do you identify as?

A

Male

B

Female

C

Non-binary

D

Other

E

Prefer not to say

What ethnicity do you identify as?

A

Asian

B

Native American or Alaska Native

C

Black or African American

D

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

E

White or European American

F

Hispanic or Latino

G

Middle Eastern/Arab

H

Other

I

Unknown

J

Prefer not to say

Additional Questions

If you found out about FORGE and/or this opportunity through a referral, please indicate the name or organization.

Would you like to receive periodic updates from FORGE regarding upcoming events and opportunities?

A

Yes

B

No