About this programme
The Future Fund is a $50 million venture program run by Connecticut Innovations, the state's quasi-public venture capital arm. It is built for early-stage, disruptive companies, with a stated focus on backing diverse teams and ambitious founders whose businesses can scale rapidly.
Alison Malloy, Managing Director of Venture, oversees the fund. She has more than 20 years in tech and previously co-founded Design2Launch, which was acquired by Kodak in 2008 and later by Danaher in 2018. Danny Qiao serves as Director, Venture.
The fund puts particular weight on founder diversity: Connecticut Innovations notes that only about 2% of VC-funded startups nationally have solely female founders, about 1% have Latinx founders, and about 0.5% have Black founders, and frames the Future Fund partly as a response to that gap.
How it works
Initial checks range from $250,000 to $1.5 million per company, at the seed or pre-seed stage, with follow-on funding available through the fund as the company grows.
Co-investment is required, either at the time of funding or shortly after, so outside capital has to be part of the deal.
The fund looks for disruptive, high-performing early-stage companies building technology that is difficult to copy, whether through patents, design, or go-to-market strategy.
Who can apply
Companies must have and maintain a presence in Connecticut; companies not currently there must be willing to relocate or expand to Connecticut.
Both first-time and experienced founders are welcome. Priority goes to companies led by CEOs whose resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness the fund expects to produce outsized returns, with emphasis on diversity at the board and executive level.
Target companies are seeking growth acceleration, whether that means testing innovation, building an MVP, or running customer pilots.
How to apply
- Submit an online application including company name and location, contact information, a business description, university affiliation status if applicable, and a pitch deck or business plan (maximum 50 MB).
Frequently asked
What stage does the Future Fund invest at?
Seed or pre-seed rounds, with initial checks of $250,000 to $1.5 million and follow-on funding available as the company grows.
Do I need outside investors lined up?
Co-investment is required, either at the time of funding or shortly after, so you need other capital in the round.
Does the Future Fund require a Connecticut HQ from day one?
You need to have and maintain a presence in Connecticut, but the fund also considers companies willing to relocate or expand into the state.
Is this fund only for first-time founders?
No. Both first-time and experienced founders are welcome to apply.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.