Innovation & Entrepreneurship

A global leader in innovation, the Hartford Region has been at the forefront of entrepreneurship and invention since the 19th Century, when Hartford first manufactured firearms, among other things. In the 20th Century, Hartford’s history of innovation continued, with advances in aerospace.

Hartford upholds its tradition of cutting-edge inventions – from rethinking the way we position ourselves as The Insurance Capital of the World to making advances in digital health and biotechnology.

Innovation Destination Hartford is an information hub for Connecticut-based entrepreneurs, startups, small business owners, and professionals. The initiative is dedicated to facilitating connections within our entrepreneurial community and supporting startups and second-stage companies throughout the Hartford Region.

Visit Innovation Destination Hartford for entrepreneurial success stories and relevant information about the Hartford Regions’s entrepreneurial community including links to resources, events, and programs; profiles about local startups; and highlights about local initiatives.

Quick Facts

• Global innovation. Startups and second-stage companies from around the world are drawn to the Hartford Region for our renowned incubators and accelerators and access to big-name players in insurance and other key industries.
• Female Entrepreneurs. Hartford ranks fourth in the nation among metropolitan areas with the most female entrepreneurs, according to a new analysis of Census data.
• Student startups. With access to well-educated students, faculty, and staff, at many universities and colleges, the Hartford Region a hotbed for startups. Case in point: Entrepreneur magazine and the Princeton Review ranked the University of Connecticut 46th best undergrad program for entrepreneurs and Reuters named UConn 90th most innovative university worldwide.