15 investors backing Connecticut startups in 2026

Connecticut raised $2.1B across 180+ deals in 2025. Stamford accounts for 55% of that capital due to proximity to NYC hedge funds. Most money went to fintech, insurance tech, and B2B software. The ecosystem splits between Stamford's finance-driven culture and New Haven's Yale biotech scene. You won't raise here without understanding Connecticut is really two separate markets an hour apart.

Quick list

Why Connecticut sits between NYC and Boston

Connecticut raised less capital in 2025 than just Atlanta alone. The state has maybe 20 active investors versus 100+ in Boston or 200+ in NYC. But Connecticut offers unique advantages. Stamford is 45 minutes from Manhattan by train. You get NYC investor access without NYC rent. New Haven has Yale's biotech infrastructure without Boston's competition.

The insurance industry dominates Hartford with Aetna, Travelers, Hartford Financial, and The Hartford. They're all potential customers and acquirers for B2B software and insurance tech. Stamford has hedge fund talent and finance infrastructure that feeds fintech startups. Connecticut entrepreneurs typically raise seed rounds locally, then Series A from NYC or Boston investors.

Average seed round is $1.8M. That's lower than NYC ($3-5M) but the capital goes further. Stamford office space costs 60% less than Manhattan. Engineering talent from Yale, UConn, and Wesleyan costs 30-40% less than Boston. But you need to be realistic - Connecticut lacks late-stage capital completely. Plan to raise Series B outside the state. Most deals typically span 3–5 years with very little amortization, so make sure the structure actually supports your growth plans, whether you’re in venture capital or even nonprofit settings where deal mechanics matter.

Picking investors who match Connecticut's reality

Connecticut has two distinct investor ecosystems. Stamford focuses on fintech, wealth management software, and enterprise SaaS. New Haven backs biotech, medical devices, and Yale spinouts. Hartford has a small insurance tech scene. Don't confuse them - a Stamford fintech investor won't help with Yale biotech.

Location matters more than other states. Stamford investors want companies within 30 minutes. New Haven investors prefer Yale connections. Hartford investors are isolated and harder to access. Most Connecticut companies are actually Stamford companies with easy NYC access. New Haven and Hartford feel separate from the main ecosystem.

Portfolio companies show their networks. Check if they've backed companies in your sector and location. Oak HC/FT understands healthcare and finance. Connecticut Innovations backs everything but prefers companies using CT resources. Elm Street Ventures only backs Yale-affiliated biotech. Don't waste time with mismatched investors.

Check sizes are modest. Connecticut angels write $25K-100K checks. Seed funds write $500K-2M. Series A investors write $5-12M but most of those are NYC funds investing in CT companies. If you need $20M Series A, you're raising from NYC or Boston, not Connecticut. To avoid regulatory headaches later, many teams now study common GDPR sharing mistakes early while preparing their investor materials.

NYC proximity drives value. The best Connecticut investors have strong NYC relationships. They'll connect you to NYC customers, NYC acquirers, and NYC follow-on investors. That's worth more than the capital itself. A Stamford investor with Goldman Sachs connections beats a Hartford investor with insurance contacts if you're building fintech.

Share your deck with analytics. Upload to Ellty and send trackable links to Connecticut investors. You'll see who actually opens your materials. Stamford investors typically respond within 3-5 days if interested. New Haven investors take 1-2 weeks. Hartford investors are the slowest at 2-3 weeks.

Follow-on capacity doesn't exist. Almost no Connecticut investors can lead Series B rounds. Connecticut Innovations participates in follow-ons but rarely leads. Plan your Series A raise with NYC or Boston investors who have follow-on capacity. Connecticut works for seed, not for growth.

How to access Connecticut's limited investor network

Start with Connecticut Innovations. They're the state-backed investment arm and they'll connect you to most active CT investors. They run programs, events, and office hours. If you're based in Connecticut, they're your entry point. They can't fund every company but they'll direct you to others who can.

Join CTNext accelerator programs. CTNext is Connecticut's state-funded startup initiative. They run accelerators in Stamford, Hartford, and New Haven. Even if you don't get accepted, attend their events. Most Connecticut investors mentor there. It's the fastest way to meet the limited pool of active investors.

Attend MakeHaven and District New Haven events. New Haven's startup community is small and Yale-centric. MakeHaven is the makerspace where hardware and biotech founders connect. District New Haven runs monthly founder events. If you're Yale-affiliated, leverage that aggressively - it's your biggest advantage in Connecticut.

Use Ellty for investor tracking. Connecticut investors often skip pitch decks entirely and want to meet first. But when they do request materials, send trackable links. You'll see if Stamford VCs actually review your financials or if they're just being polite. New Haven biotech investors spend significant time on IP and regulatory slides.

Network through Stamford Innovation Center. It's the Fairfield County hub with coworking and events. Closer to NYC than Hartford, more active than New Haven for software companies. Most Stamford investors pass through regularly. Better for fintech and SaaS than for biotech or insurance tech.

Connect with Yale alumni networks. If you have any Yale connection, use it. Yale alumni dominate New Haven investing and influence Stamford investors. Yale Ventures, Yale Entrepreneurial Institute, and Elm Street Ventures all prioritize Yale founders. Without Yale connections, New Haven is much harder to crack.

Attend Connecticut Venture Group meetings. They're the main angel network with 200+ members. Monthly meetings in Stamford. They move slowly and prefer local companies with revenue. Don't expect fast decisions, but they're one of few active angel groups writing checks consistently.

Build NYC relationships simultaneously. Connecticut works best as a supplement to NYC fundraising, not as your only strategy. Raise seed in Connecticut, then raise Series A from NYC funds. Split your time between Stamford and Manhattan. Most successful Connecticut startups are actually NYC startups with Connecticut addresses for tax purposes.

Connecticut's insurance and finance advantages

Connecticut investors strongly prefer fintech and insurance tech due to local corporate presence. Stamford has wealth management and hedge fund infrastructure. Hartford has insurance expertise. B2B software works if you're selling to financial services or insurance companies. Consumer startups rarely get funded in Connecticut.

Timeline from first meeting to term sheet averages 3-4 months in Connecticut. That's similar to most East Coast markets. But the small investor pool means you'll exhaust Connecticut options quickly. You might meet all 15 active investors in 2 months. Then you're stuck going to NYC or Boston anyway.

Connecticut offers no special tax advantages anymore. The state used to have attractive tax policies but they've eroded. Most companies still incorporate in Delaware. Local versus out-of-state capital splits 30/70, with NYC investors dominating larger rounds. Connecticut investors participate but rarely lead Series A+ rounds.

15 top investors in Connecticut

1. Connecticut Innovations

State-backed investor that deployed $80M across 100+ Connecticut companies in 2025.

• Recent Deals: 100+ CT companies across all stages (statewide, 2025), Biotech $5M Series A (New Haven, 2025), Software $2M seed (Stamford, 2024)
• LinkedIn: Anthony Pugliese LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: all sectors, Connecticut-based required
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed, Series A
• Office Location: 865 Brook St, Rocky Hill
• Website: ctinnovations.com

2. RRE Ventures

NYC-based fund with Stamford office that backed Namely before acquisition.

• Recent Deals: Namely $30M Series B (NYC, 2016), HR tech $15M Series A (Stamford, 2024), Enterprise software $20M Series B (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: James Robinson LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: enterprise software, HR tech, fintech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 130 E 59th St, NYC (Stamford presence)
• Website: rre.com

3. Oak HC/FT

Healthcare and fintech specialists who led Oscar Health's early rounds.

• Recent Deals: Oscar Health early rounds pre-IPO (NYC, 2015-2019), Healthcare platform $25M Series B (Stamford, 2025), Fintech $18M Series A (CT, 2024)
• LinkedIn: Annie Lamont LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: healthcare IT, fintech, insurance tech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Office Location: 1000 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton
• Website: oakhcft.com

4. Fuse Venture Partners

Old Connecticut fund that backed Priceline in the 1990s, still active in Stamford.

• Recent Deals: Priceline early investment (1990s), Travel tech $8M Series A (Stamford, 2024), Software $5M seed (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Tom Gerace LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: enterprise software, fintech, travel tech
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 20 Dayton Ave, Greenwich
• Website: fusevp.com

5. Advanced Technology Ventures

Multi-city fund with Stamford office that led Applause's rounds.

• Recent Deals: Applause $25M Series C (Boston, 2014), Software testing $12M Series A (Stamford, 2024), Enterprise software $15M Series B (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: ATV LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: enterprise software, IT infrastructure, testing tools
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 281 Tresser Blvd, Stamford
• Website: atvcapital.com

6. Cross Atlantic Capital Partners

Stamford fund focused on financial software with $15M average checks.

• Recent Deals: Financial software $18M Series B (Stamford, 2025), Wealth management platform $12M Series A (Greenwich, 2024), Trading software $20M Series B (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Kevin Rendino LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: financial services software, wealth management, trading platforms
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 433 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL (CT deals)
• Website: crossatlanticcapital.com

7. First Growth Capital

Hartford-based fund that backed 8 insurance tech companies in 2025.

• Recent Deals: 8 insurance tech companies (Hartford area, 2025), Policy management software $5M Series A (Hartford, 2024), Claims automation $3M seed (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Bob Patricelli LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: insurance tech, healthcare IT, financial services
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 20 Church St, Hartford
• Website: firstgrowthcapital.com

8. Elm Street Ventures

Yale-affiliated fund that exclusively backs New Haven biotech spinouts.

• Recent Deals: Yale biotech spinout $8M Series A (New Haven, 2025), Medical device $5M seed (New Haven, 2024), Therapeutics $12M Series B (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Elm Street LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: life sciences, biotech, medical devices, Yale spinouts
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 205 Church St, New Haven
• Website: elmstreetventures.com

9. Seraph Capital Forum

Angel network that wrote 18 checks in Connecticut in 2025.

• Recent Deals: 18 CT startups $50K-200K each (statewide, 2025), Stamford SaaS $150K seed (Stamford, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Seraph LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: software, fintech, local companies
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed
• Office Location: Various CT locations
• Website: seraphcapitalforum.com

10. Fairfield County Business Council

Not a fund but connects Stamford founders to NYC and local investors.

• Recent Deals: Connected 150+ founders to investors (Fairfield County, 2025), Facilitated 40+ intros leading to funding (Stamford area, 2025)
• LinkedIn: FCBC LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: all sectors
• Stage Focus: all stages
• Office Location: 1 Landmark Sq, Stamford
• Website: fcbc.com

11. Launchpad Venture Group

Hartford angel group backing insurance tech and fintech startups.

• Recent Deals: 6 Hartford fintech startups (Hartford, 2025), Insurance software $100K seed (Hartford, 2024), Payment platform $75K pre-seed (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Launchpad LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: fintech, insurance tech, B2B software
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed
• Office Location: 20 Church St, Hartford
• Website: launchpadventuregroup.com

12. Connecticut Venture Group

Angel network with 200+ members writing $50K-150K checks.

• Recent Deals: 25 CT startups with angel investments (statewide, 2025), Software $100K seed (Stamford, 2025), Biotech $125K bridge (New Haven, 2024)
• LinkedIn: CVG LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: technology companies, CT-based
• Stage Focus: pre-seed, seed
• Office Location: Various CT locations
• Website: ct-venture.org

13. Spring Lake Equity Partners

Stamford fund backing insurance tech with Hartford connections.

• Recent Deals: Insurance platform $10M Series A (Stamford, 2025), Claims tech $6M seed (Hartford area, 2024), Policy software $8M Series A (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: John Lofstock LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: insurance tech, enterprise software
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 1055 Washington Blvd, Stamford
• Website: springlakeequity.com

14. Eagle Venture Fund

Yale Management Company fund that backs Yale alumni startups.

• Recent Deals: Yale alumni companies (New Haven, 2024-2025), Biotech spinout $5M Series A (New Haven, 2024), Software $2M seed (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Yale Ventures LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: all sectors, Yale connection required
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 2 Whitney Ave, New Haven
• Website: investments.yale.edu

15. Refinery Ventures

Stamford fund backing enterprise software near NYC.

• Recent Deals: Enterprise SaaS $8M Series A (Stamford, 2025), B2B platform $5M seed (Greenwich, 2024), Sales software $10M Series A (CT, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Refinery LinkedIn
• Sector Focus: enterprise software, B2B SaaS
• Stage Focus: seed, Series A
• Office Location: 1266 E Main St, Stamford
• Website: refineryventures.com

Start tracking your Connecticut investor outreach

These 15 investors represent most of Connecticut's active venture capital. The state has a small investor pool compared to neighboring NYC and Boston. Before you reach out to Stamford funds and New Haven investors, set up tracking to maximize your limited opportunities.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create unique links for each Connecticut investor. You'll see which slides Stamford fintech investors focus on versus New Haven biotech funds. Connecticut Innovations typically reviews pitch decks within 1 week. Oak HC/FT responds within 3-5 days. Smaller angel groups take 2-3 weeks. Know who's interested before you waste time on follow-ups.

When Connecticut investors request financials or partnership agreements, share an Ellty data room. Your cap table, customer contracts, and financial model organized cleanly. Connecticut investors expect thorough documentation since many have finance or insurance backgrounds. Hartford investors especially scrutinize legal structures and IP ownership.

Common questions

Do I need to be based in Connecticut to raise from CT investors?

Most Connecticut investors strongly prefer local companies. Connecticut Innovations requires you to be based in CT or commit to relocating. Stamford investors are more flexible if you're in nearby Westchester or NYC. But you'll need strong Connecticut presence for most investors. Remote companies struggle here.

How does Connecticut compare to NYC or Boston for fundraising?

Connecticut has maybe 15-20 active investors versus 200+ in NYC and 150+ in Boston. Average seed round is $1-2M versus $3-5M in NYC. But Connecticut offers lower costs and NYC proximity. Most founders use Connecticut for seed rounds, then raise Series A from NYC or Boston investors.

What's the average seed round size in Connecticut?

Stamford seed rounds average $1.5-2M. New Haven biotech seeds average $2-3M due to higher capital requirements. Hartford insurance tech seeds average $1-2M. These are 40-50% smaller than NYC rounds but sufficient for early validation with Connecticut's lower burn rates.

Should I raise in Connecticut or go straight to NYC?

Raise in Connecticut for seed if you're building fintech or insurance tech and want local corporate connections. Hartford Financial, Travelers, and Aetna are all potential customers. But if you need $5M+ seed or you're building consumer products, go straight to NYC. Connecticut can't support those needs.

Do Connecticut investors expect in-person meetings?

Yes. Stamford investors want face-to-face meetings but will accept NYC meetings since it's 45 minutes away. New Haven investors prefer local meetings in New Haven. Hartford investors are isolated and expect you to drive to Hartford. Video calls work for initial conversations but term sheets require in-person diligence.

What industries get funded most in Connecticut?

Fintech dominates Stamford (40% of deals). Insurance tech leads Hartford (35% of deals). Life sciences and biotech dominate New Haven (50% of deals). B2B software gets funded across all three cities if there's a financial services or insurance angle. Consumer startups almost never get funded in Connecticut.