FORGE

Smart Capital for Manufacturing Growth Starts Here Manufacturing growth does not fail because of a lack of capital. It fails because of the wrong capital at the wrong time. If you are building a physical product, scaling production, or even an established manufacturer, you already know the challenge is not just about raising money. It is understanding which type of capital actually supports your next step. That is exactly what we are unpacking in this session: Smart Capital Options: The Right Financing at Every Stage of Manufacturing Join us for a conversation with: • Lisa Welch, Business Development Specialist  | U.S. Small Business Administration, Massachusetts District Office • Lily Fitzgerald, Director | Massachusetts Technology Collaborative-Center for Advanced Manufacturing • Abby Nguyen-Burke. Senior Vice President, Team Leader, Equity Alliance for Business | Eastern Bank • Joe Hastry, MSA CPA, Co-Founder | florrent, Moderator: • Mark Michalski, Manufacturing Expert in Residence | FORGE This discussion will focus on: • Aligning capital strategy with your stage of production • Navigating funding options from early builds to scale and beyond • Avoiding common financing mistakes that slow down growth • Making smarter decisions that support long-term manufacturing success If you are a startup founder, manufacturer, or ecosystem partner working in hardtech, this is a conversation worth being in. 👉 Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/smart-c… Follow FORGE for more insights, events, and connections that help innovators move from prototype to production. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Hardtech #Startups #Innovation #Funding #ProductDevelopment #ScaleUp

A Growing Pipeline of Hardtech Manufacturing in Connecticut One way to gauge the strength of Connecticut’s emerging hardtech ecosystem is by looking closely at the demand for FORGE’s Product Development Grants. To date, the program has received: • 80+ applications from companies pursuing specific manufacturing projects • More than $8M in requested funding tied directly to production needs Each application represents a company working to move from pilot builds to scalable production, seeking the suppliers, product development expertise, and manufacturing readiness needed to get there. Applications span sectors including life sciences, climate technology, medical devices, and consumer products, reflecting the breadth of innovation emerging across Connecticut. Through FORGE, these projects activate real engagement with Connecticut manufacturers. Founders work directly with suppliers through design-for-manufacturing discussions, early production planning, and RFQs. Hardtech companies do not scale on ideas alone. They scale through production relationships. The strong demand for Product Development Grants reflects something larger: a growing pipeline of innovators ready to build their products and their companies in Connecticut. We are grateful for the continued support of the Manufacturing Innovation Fund and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development in strengthening this manufacturing ecosystem. Follow FORGE to see more examples of hardtech companies successfully moving from prototype to production. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Hardtech #ConnecticutManufacturing #SupplyChain #StartupManufacturing #ClimateTech #MedTech #InnovationEcosystem #AdvancedManufacturing

Reshoring momentum is real. The drivers are evolving. A new 2025 Reshoring Survey Report by Harry Moser (RESHORING INITIATIVE) and Kathy Nunnally Anemogiannis (Regions Executive Recruiting LLC) offers some useful perspective on what companies are actually doing. About 30% of OEMs report they have reshored manufacturing or are actively doing so. At the same time, cost still plays a major role in sourcing decisions. Another data point that stood out: About 40% of OEMs say they would pay 10–20% more for components delivered in one week rather than in six. ⚡ Speed matters. 💭 Proximity to engineering matters. 🚛 Reliable supply chains matter. These are areas where regional manufacturing ecosystems can create real advantages. At FORGE, the focus is on helping physical product companies connect with experienced manufacturers, suppliers, and product development partners so products are designed with scalable production in mind from the start. When those connections happen early, companies are in a much stronger position to move from innovation to in-state manufacturing and production scale. Read the full report: reshorenow.org/content/pdf/20… Follow FORGE to learn how stronger manufacturing networks are helping companies bring physical products to market. #manufacturing #reshoring #hardtech #supplychain #advancedmanufacturing #FORGEimpact

From Innovation to Manufacturing Hardtech companies succeed when innovation is translated into scalable, in-state production. Through FORGE’s work in Connecticut, companies across multiple sectors have activated manufacturing partnerships across the state. Here are a few examples of innovators moving from prototype to production: AtlasXomics Inc. | New Haven | Life Sciences AtlasXomics is developing a spatial multi-omics platform that enables high-resolution mapping of gene regulation within intact tissues. With support from a FORGE Product Development Grant, the company advanced its design toward manufacturability and confirmed a manufacturing partnership with CPS Fluidics, LLC. As Colin Ng, Vice President at AtlasXomics, shared: “The updated design is expected to significantly improve both throughput and manufacturability. We’ve just ordered the first full prototype and plan to begin initial testing in February.” SedMed | Woodbridge | Medical Devices SedMed manufactures toilet seat stabilization devices designed to improve safety for elderly patients. Through a FORGE pitch competition and supply chain introductions, founder Jeremy Bronen secured early investor support and advanced the next-generation product with Synectic Product Development (A MACK Molding Company). Jeremy reflected: “We not only won the event, but gained a fantastic investor.” ZANEEZ®Health & Fitness Equipment | South Glastonbury | Consumer Health Hardware Zaneez developed the AnkleSTONE® and BedROK mobility platforms. Through the FORGE supplier network, founder Dr. Marien Zanyk, Ph.D. was connected to PMR - Plastics Manufacturing Resources, an injection molding partner in Watertown, CT, to support scalable production. Dr. Zanyk noted: “The relationship with FORGE has been focused on building partnerships.” Floe, Inc. | New Haven | Infrastructure Maintenance Technology Floe builds a smart rooftop ice-and-snow management system that automates deicing to prevent structural water damage. Through lifecycle planning guidance and supplier introductions from FORGE, founder David Dellal, Ph.D. secured a confirmed in-state manufacturing partnership with Gyre9. David shared: “We love FORGE! FORGE has a plethora of resources for advisors, capital, industry connections, and a sense of timeline. I don’t know if we would be here without FORGE.” Across biotech instrumentation, climate hardware, medical devices, and consumer products, the model is consistent: • Manufacturing readiness guidance • Targeted and vetted manufacturer connections • Grants, capital, and investor exposure This is how innovation becomes Connecticut manufacturing activity. We thank the Manufacturing Innovation Fund and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for supporting this work. Follow FORGE to see how innovators are building real manufacturing supply chains across Connecticut. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Hardtech #ConnecticutManufacturing

More than 3,800 companies have gone through this Massachusetts innovation program. Applications are now open for the 2026 Eddies, the flagship program of the Mass Innovation Network. Now celebrating its 40th year, The Eddies is the region's longest-running innovation program. Past winners include companies that went on to become major industry players, including iRobot, Zipcar, Vistaprint, HubSpot, Keurig, Carbonite, Insulet Corporation, E Ink Corporation, MassChallenge, MathWorks, and Cambridge Nanotech. The program is open to Massachusetts-based companies developing products or technologies that are disrupting their industry. If you are building something innovative and want visibility within the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem, this is an opportunity worth exploring. Learn more about the application process: massinnov.org/application-pr… Mass Innovation Network is also hosting virtual information sessions for prospective applicants: massinnov.org/events If you are developing a physical product and looking to connect with manufacturers and suppliers to help scale production, follow FORGE to see how we help innovators move from prototype to manufacturing. #FORGEImpact #MassInnovation #TheEddies #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Innovation #Massachusetts #TechInnovation #Entrepreneurship

From Napkin Sketch to Scaled Production: How CT3D Is Expanding Access to Product Development Great ideas should not be limited by access to manufacturing. That belief is exactly what led Joshua Hinman to start CT3D, a New Britain, Connecticut–based product design and fabrication company that helps innovators move quickly from concept to prototype to scalable production. Using a hybrid approach that designs the product and the manufacturing process simultaneously, CT3D helps companies iterate rapidly, incorporate user feedback, and scale from a single prototype to full production without the traditional tooling barriers. Through the FORGE network, CT3D has already collaborated with a number of innovative companies, helping them turn early-stage concepts into functional prototypes and investor-ready demonstrations. Stories like this are exactly why FORGE works to strengthen local manufacturing connections across the Northeast. Read the full story about Joshua Hinman and CT3D here: forgeimpact.org/success-storie… Follow FORGE to see more examples of how innovators and manufacturers are building the future of physical products together. #Manufacturing #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDevelopment #SupplyChain #Innovation #MadeInUSA #AdvancedManufacturing #HardTech #FORGEImpact

Your prototype works. But can you manufacture it? That is where many physical products run into trouble. This April, FORGE is hosting a four-part Manufacturing Readiness Workshop Series with product development expert Peter Russo, MBA, CPM, designed to help companies move from prototype to scalable production without costly surprises. Peter transforms startup ideas into market-ready products. After 20+ years of founding and selling companies, including a product development firm with US and China-based teams that generated over $250 million in retail sales across 15 brands and hundreds of SKUs, Peter now dedicates his expertise to helping emerging companies scale successfully. Topics include: • Selecting and working with the right supply chain partners • Planning for scaling manufacturing • Applying Design for X principles to reduce cost and risk • Managing development from prototype through pilot and production These are interactive workshops, not lectures. You will walk away with practical tools you can apply immediately to your product and manufacturing strategy. Dates: April 7, 14, 21, and 28 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/forge-m… Follow FORGE for more programs, insights, and connections that help innovators successfully bring physical products to market. #Manufacturing #ProductDevelopment #HardwareInnovation #SupplyChain #DesignForManufacturing #Hardtech #AdvancedManufacturing #FORGEImpact

Myth: Industrial AI is still experimental. Reality: It is already running inside many factories. According to the @Cisco 2026 State of Industrial AI Report, 61% of industrial organizations are already deploying AI at scale. That is a major shift from just a few years ago, when most companies were still exploring pilot projects. What is interesting is where industrial AI is actually showing up. It is not starting with massive factory overhauls. It is showing up in practical operational improvements like: • Process automation • Supply chain optimization • Automated quality inspection • Predictive maintenance In other words, AI adoption in manufacturing is starting exactly where it should. Improving productivity, reducing downtime, and helping operations run more efficiently. The companies making the most progress are focusing on clear operational value rather than chasing technology hype. If you want to explore the data behind these trends, the full report is worth reviewing: cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/so… At FORGE, we work with companies bringing physical products to market and connect them with the manufacturing expertise and supply chain resources needed to scale production. If you care about the future of manufacturing and hardtech innovation, follow FORGE. #Manufacturing #ArtificialIntelligence #IndustrialAI #SmartManufacturing

BuildSmart TechHub Summit | April 29 | UMass Lowell Massachusetts is putting real attention on the housing challenge, and innovation in construction, materials, and manufacturing will need to be part of the solution. The BuildSmart TechHub Summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, and the innovation ecosystem to explore approaches such as modular housing, prefabricated construction, advanced materials, and policy frameworks to accelerate housing production and reduce costs. BuildSmart, led by @UMassLowell, is part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Innovation Institute TechHubs Program and focuses on strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem while supporting the workforce and manufacturing capabilities needed to deliver more efficient and affordable housing. 📅 April 29, 2026 📍 110 Canal Street, Lowell, MA 🔗 Learn more: uml.edu/BuildSmart If you are interested in how advanced manufacturing and innovation are shaping the future of the built environment, follow FORGE to stay connected with the people, companies, and ideas moving products from prototype to production. #HousingInnovation #ConstructionTech #AdvancedManufacturing #MassachusettsInnovation #FORGEimpact #UML

US SBA Massachusetts Economic Development Networking Mixer The U.S. Small Business Administration Massachusetts (@SBA_MA ) District Office is hosting an afternoon networking event and introducing the new Massachusetts District Director, Keegan Shepardson. This gathering is designed for economic development practitioners and organizations that support small businesses across the Commonwealth. It is a chance to connect with SBA staff, hear updates on programs and policy, and share what your organization is doing to support business growth and manufacturing across Massachusetts. Members of the FORGE network who work across the manufacturing ecosystem, from emerging companies to established producers and suppliers, may find this a valuable opportunity to connect with others supporting economic growth in the region. Bring business cards and updates from your organization to share with the community. 📍 Tip O'Neill Federal Building, Boston 📅 Friday, March 20 | 1:00–3:00 PM Register here: eventbrite.com/e/sba-massachu… Follow FORGE to stay connected with the people, organizations, and manufacturers strengthening the hardtech and production ecosystem across the region. #FORGEImpact #Massachusetts #SmallBusiness #Manufacturing #EconomicDevelopment #Hardtech

FORGE Connecticut | Three Years of Manufacturing Impact A little over three years ago, FORGE expanded into Connecticut to help hardtech companies move from product development into scalable, in-state manufacturing. Since launching in Connecticut, FORGE has: • Supported 174 emerging hardtech companies • Recruited 114 Connecticut suppliers into the FORGE Network • Made 670 connections between innovators and Connecticut manufacturers • Facilitated 30 manufacturing contracts worth approximately $1M • Awarded $462,000 in Product Development Grants • Helped drive 1,247 Connecticut jobs tied to in-state production activity Hardtech companies do not scale on ideas alone. They scale when innovation is matched with manufacturing readiness and strong production partnerships. Each contract and grant represents manufacturing activity retained and built in Connecticut. FORGE’s work helps: • Support skilled jobs • Strengthen supplier revenue • Build long-term production companies in Connecticut’s emerging hardtech sector We thank the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing - Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for their continued support in keeping Connecticut competitive in advanced manufacturing. Follow FORGE to see how innovators and manufacturers are building the future of hardtech production. #FORGEImpact #ManufacturingInnovation #Hardtech #MadeInConnecticut #AdvancedManufacturing

Partner Highlight: Ground Up Innovations We are proud to spotlight Friend of FORGE, Ground Up Innovations. Ground Up Innovations, LLC supports startups and technical teams with both engineering design and manufacturing services. From concept development and detailed design through prototyping, pilot builds, automation, and low-volume production, their team helps bridge the critical gap between idea and scalable product. Their integrated approach ensures that products are not only well-designed but also built with manufacturing in mind from the start. Dan Holzer, Founder and Principal, leads the firm with deep experience in electromechanical systems and startup environments. His team works alongside innovators to turn complex technical challenges into practical, manufacturable solutions. Learn more about Ground Up Innovations: guinnovations.com Explore the FORGE partner network or become a partner here: forgeimpact.org/become-a-partn… Follow FORGE to stay connected with the partners, suppliers, and innovators strengthening the hardtech ecosystem. #FORGEImpact #Hardtech #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #StartupSupport

Applications are now open for the 2026 Cleantech Open accelerator cohort! @cleantechopen  saves founders months, if not years, of trial and error. Seeking early-stage cleantech startups at TRL 2-5 with less than $2 million in equity funding, ready to work hard to accelerate their companies toward commercialization. They're holding kickoff parties around the region, as well as virtually. In the Boston area for these 2 events: Cleantech Open Northeast Kickoff - MIT, Cambridge, MA - March 3, 2026 - 5-7 PM - eventbrite.com/e/2026-cleante… Cleantech Open Northeast Kickoff - Somerville, MA - March 11, 2026 - 4-7 PM - eventbrite.com/e/2026-cleante… See the full list of kickoffs: docs.google.com/document/d/1RW… Applications are open through April 6. Apply here: bit.ly/cto26 FORGE is proud to support and elevate opportunities in the ecosystem like this. Follow FORGE for more opportunities that help physical product startups scale. #FORGEImpact #Cleantech #ClimateTech #EnergyInnovation #StartupAccelerator #HardTech #Manufacturing #InnovationEcosystem

🍻Manufacturing Happy Hour with ManufactureCT Join @ManufactureCT for a Manufacturing Happy Hour at Badsons Beer Company in Derby, Connecticut, on March 5 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This casual, after-work gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow manufacturers from across Connecticut. Enjoy local beer in a relaxed setting while expanding your professional network, exchanging ideas, and building new industry connections. Whether you are looking to strengthen existing relationships or meet new faces in manufacturing, this happy hour offers a welcoming space to do just that. No speeches. No pressure. Just good conversation and community. The event is open to manufacturers only and is free to attend, sponsored by IMA Financial Group, Inc. Event details and registration: business.manufacturect.org/events/Details… FORGE encourages Connecticut manufacturers to show up, connect, and strengthen the industry together. Follow FORGE for more ways to stay connected to the manufacturing and hardtech ecosystem. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #ConnecticutManufacturing #Manufacturers #ManufacturingCommunity #Networking #CTBusiness

Female founders. Live pitches. Real momentum. On March 2, HAYVN HATCH Darien Female Founder Pitch Night Series takes place in Darien, CT. HAYVN HATCH is a unique women-centric pitch night, is brought to you by HAYVN Coworking Community, VentureMom.com, Realist Ventures, and P Garyn Productions. These organizations are aligned around one mission: supporting women founders with funding, exposure, marketing, and growth. You will hear from six female entrepreneurs pitching live, meet investors and ecosystem leaders, and connect with a community committed to expanding opportunity for women-led businesses. This event is cosponsored by Darien Bank & Trust, Aon, wiggin(x), and Women's Business Development Council. If you are an investor, founder, operator, or ecosystem partner in Connecticut, this is one to attend. 📍 Darien, CT 📅 March 2 | 5:30 to 8:30 PM 🔗 Event details and registration: eventbrite.com/e/hayvn-hatch-… FORGE is proud to amplify partners strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem. Follow FORGE for more opportunities connecting founders, funders, and manufacturers across the region. #FORGEImpact #FemaleFounders #WomenInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #StartupEcosystem #ConnecticutInnovation #FounderCommunity #SupportWomen #PitchNight

We’re excited to help celebrate a major milestone for one of our regional collaborators, @CONNSTEP , 25 years of strengthening Connecticut manufacturing. Join industry partners, innovators, and manufacturers at the CONNSTEP 25th Anniversary Gala at the historic Bushnell Performing Arts Center for an evening dedicated to connection, celebration, and the impact of manufacturing across our region. This special event will also honor the legacy of Jack Crane, a passionate advocate for Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem and a meaningful supporter of FORGE CT. Proceeds from the evening will support a scholarship created in his memory, helping invest in the next generation of manufacturing talent. If you’re part of Connecticut’s manufacturing community or care about its future, this is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate. 📷 eventbrite.com/e/connstep-25t… Follow FORGE for more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and scale #Manufacturing #ConnecticutManufacturing #HardTech #RegionalInnovation #CTManufacturing #SupplyChain #AdvancedManufacturing

Grants. Founders. Investors. Manufacturing in Action. Hardtech momentum is building across Connecticut and Massachusetts. From Product Development Grant winners to founders connecting with investors, companies are moving closer to scalable production. This month’s newsletter spotlights innovators advancing to scale, new ecosystem opportunities, and partners strengthening regional manufacturing. If you’re building, investing in, or supporting physical products, you’ll want to stay on top of what’s happening. Read the full newsletter here: conta.cc/4kTaZcH Follow FORGE to stay connected to the hardtech community and upcoming opportunities. #ManufacturingInnovation #HardtechCommunity #ProductToMarket #StartupEcosystem #FORGE

Celebrating 10 Years of Manufacturing Innovation in Massachusetts Today, the Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) commemorated the 10-year milestone of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) at The Engine, recognizing a decade of advancing hardtech innovation and strengthening manufacturing across the Commonwealth. FORGE was proud to join partners from across Massachusetts for the celebration. Anya Losik, David Thompson, and Mark Michalski represented FORGE at the event. As Benjamin Downing of The Engine shared during his remarks, the goal is to “make sure that Massachusetts is not just a great place to invent your technology, but a great place to grow your technology and its impact here in the state.” That vision reflects exactly why programs like M2I2 matter. The program also highlighted its most recent round of awardees. Thirteen manufacturers received more than $7.3 million in grants this past October, with projects projected to create approximately 180 new jobs in Massachusetts. Congratulations to the 2025 recipients: • Atacama Biomaterials (Hera Materials), Somerville • Axoft, Cambridge • Cala Systems, Somerville • Clear Waterways Group (Berkshire Innovation Center), Lanesborough • CYVL, Somerville • Electrified Thermal Solutions, Medford • Emvolon, Woburn • Kano Therapeutics, Cambridge • Lasso (formerly Tender Food), Somerville • Noble Carbon, Pittsfield • SimpliMade Composites, Boston • Triton Systems, Inc., Chelmsford • University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell We also appreciate the remarks and continued leadership from Zhuqing Wang, Ph.D., and Lily Fitzgerald of CAM. FORGE is proud to work alongside innovators, manufacturers, and ecosystem partners who ensure that breakthrough technologies are not only developed here but built here. Learn more about the initiative and the awardees: masstech.org/news/healey-dr… Join us in strengthening the Commonwealth’s manufacturing ecosystem. Follow FORGE to stay connected to funding, partnerships, and opportunities. #CAM #M2I2 #MAManufacturing #AdvancedManufacturing #Hardtech

🔎 Looking for Funding to Grow Your Business? 💰 Access to capital can make the difference between staying in prototype mode and scaling toward commercialization. On March 26, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration District Office and the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (@ctsbdc ) are hosting a FREE Business Lending Expo in Cromwell, CT. Small business owners and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to: • Meet with 25+ SBA lenders • Explore financing options • Receive free counseling, training, and mentoring • Attend workshops including Know Your Numbers and Learning the Lending Process For hardtech founders, manufacturers, and growth-stage innovators in our network, this is a valuable opportunity to better understand the lending landscape and build relationships before you need capital. 📍 Courtyard Marriott Hartford-Cromwell 🗓 March 26, 2026 🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Free parking and refreshments provided Register here: bit.ly/4rG8sFO If access to funding is on your 2026 roadmap, this is worth your time. Follow FORGE for more opportunities, resources, and events supporting hardtech innovators across Connecticut and Massachusetts. @SBA_Connecticut #ForgeImpact #SmallBusiness #SBA #BusinessFunding #AccessToCapital #Entrepreneurship #Manufacturing #Hardtech #ConnecticutBusiness #StartupGrowth #CTSBDC