The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Joins Forces with Connecticut Small Business Development Center: Empowering Minority-Owned Tech with $2M Federal Grant

02/12/2024

CTSBDC is proud to support The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s NHE3 initiative and to have been selected to participate in a $2 million federal grant to bolster minority-owned tech companies. Stepping in with technical assistance and business advisors, CTSBDC will present g three accelerator programs, each spanning six sessions, focused on Federal research and commercialization grants This effort aims to empower entrepreneurs within the Greater New Haven area, ensuring equitable opportunities and growth within minority-owned tech enterprises.

“CTSBDC is committed to leveraging our expertise and resources to drive impactful change and equitable opportunities for small businesses in this collaborative initiative.”, said CTSBDC State Director Joe Ercolano.

The grant will support The Community Foundation’s Connecticut Consortium for BIPOC Technologists, a regional business support ecosystem for technology entrepreneurs. The funding will help science and technology firms with growth potential expand through business accelerator programs and access to equity capital. Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders will also be connected to successful technology firms.

 EDA Grant Fuels BIPOC Tech Innovation in Greater New Haven”

“This is a moment of growth in our community. This grant from the EDA is all about how we build a community of greater opportunity and greater equity in Greater New Haven and Connecticut,” said The Community Foundation President and CEO Will Ginsberg.

The grant will support The Community Foundation’s Connecticut Consortium for BIPOC Technologists, a regional business support ecosystem for technology entrepreneurs. The funding will help science and technology firms with growth potential expand through business accelerator programs and
access to equity capital. Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders will also be connected to successful technology firms.

The Community Foundation’s Mission Investments Company’s New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3) will spearhead a consortium specially created for the project. Alongside CTSBDC, notable partners such as Climate Haven, Realist Lab, and Yale University form integral components of this consortium.

The consortium is funded by the grant and will support BIPOC-led firms in science and technology-based innovation industries including bioscience, software, health/medical device technology, advanced manufacturing, and climate tech.

The Community Foundation was one of 60 organizations from across the country to receive a Build to Scale grant award.