FORGE

🔧 Building a Physical Product? Meet with FORGE network experts and tour GE CoCreate. Part of CT Tech Week 2026 If you're working on a hardware, manufacturing, robotics, climatetech, medtech, consumer product, or other physical product innovation, this is a great opportunity to connect directly with experts who can help you move forward. What to expect: ✅ One-on-one office hours with FORGE network experts ✅ Manufacturing + supply chain guidance ✅ Tour of FirstBuild makerspace and the CoFab microfactory ✅ Networking with fellow founders and innovators Whether you're refining a prototype, preparing for manufacturing, or looking for the right supplier partners, this is a chance to have real conversations with people who understand what it takes to build and scale physical products. 📅 June 1, 2026 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 Stamford, CT Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/forge-p… And if you’re building something physical, follow FORGE for more opportunities, events, and resources designed to help innovators move from prototype to production. #FORGEImpact #CTTechWeek #Hardtech #Manufacturing #HardwareStartups #SupplyChain #ProductDevelopment #Innovation

🔥 The Startup Journey Isn’t Pretty. That’s Why This Event Matters Founders rarely talk about the messy middle. The failed prototypes, tough decisions, sleepless nights, pivots, and moments where things almost didn’t work out. That’s what makes Entrepreneur War Stories, hosted by Escape Velocity Partners, such a valuable event. This is a chance to hear honest, unfiltered conversations from founders who’ve been through the highs and lows of building companies and came out stronger on the other side. If you’re building a startup, thinking about launching one, or just want a more realistic look at the entrepreneurial journey, this is an event for you. 📍 Parkville Market, Hartford, CT 📅 May 19 | 6:00 - 8:30 PM 🎟️ Register here and use code FORGE25: eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneur… At FORGE, we’re always looking to connect founders with opportunities to learn from real-world experiences, build stronger networks, and accelerate the path from idea to impact. Follow FORGE for more events, resources, and connections for hardtech innovators. #FORGEImpact #startups #entrepreneurship #founders #innovation #hardtech

🚀 The 2026 FORGE Spring Startup Showcase is shaping up to be an exciting evening of hardtech innovation, manufacturing, and connection. Join us on June 10 in Somerville’s Union Square as startups from across the FORGE network showcase live prototypes and emerging technologies while connecting with manufacturers, suppliers, investors, and ecosystem partners. 📍 10 Prospect Street, Somerville, MA 📅 June 10, 2026 🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Confirmed exhibitors so far include: 🔹 KIRA Systems Inc. 🔹 Diel Technologies 🔹 AllStrum 🔹 Spear the Air 🔹 ThermoBionics 🔹 Dialysis-X, Inc-X LLC 🔹 Allkemie 🔹 Latimer Technologies 🔹 Comprehension Clicker 🔹 Play Smart Early Learning Program 🔹 Bootbox Labs 🔹 Laminar (Formerly H2Ok Innovations) 🔹 CADSPARC Whether you're looking to discover emerging technologies, explore manufacturing partnerships, or connect with the hardtech ecosystem, this showcase is built to create meaningful conversations and real opportunities. Event Agenda: 🕒 3:00 PM | Doors Open 🛠️ 3:00 – 5:30 PM | Startup Exhibition 🎤 5:30 – 6:15 PM | Speaking Program 🤝 6:45 – 7:00 PM | Closing + Wrap-Up Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/2026-fo… Follow FORGE for more events, startup stories, and manufacturing ecosystem updates. #FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #Hardware #Innovation

🔧 Join FORGE at Manufacturing Your Future Massachusetts manufacturers and hardtech innovators: this is a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders, technology providers, and manufacturing experts from across the region. The FORGE team will be attending on June 2 at the DCU Center in Worcester, hosted by @MassMEP . The event features keynotes, breakout sessions, and an expanded sponsor floor focused on practical solutions and real-world manufacturing challenges impacting companies today. If you’re involved in manufacturing, product development, operations, supply chain, or scaling hardware products, this is a strong event to have on your calendar. 🎟️ Register here: massmep.org/manufacturing-… Use code: MASSMFG Pre-registration deadline: May 30 Follow FORGE for more updates on the manufacturing and hardtech ecosystem. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #AdvancedManufacturing #HardTech #MassMEP

Connecticut Ecosystem Opportunity for Early-Stage Founders At FORGE, we’re always excited to share resources that help entrepreneurs build stronger companies and move ideas toward real-world impact. Groundwork by reSET Social Enterprise Trust is a program designed to help early-stage founders strengthen the fundamentals across business, operations, and growth. If you’re building an early-stage startup and looking to sharpen your strategy, structure your next steps, and accelerate your path forward, this is worth checking out. Learn more and apply here: resetco.org/groundwork Follow FORGE for more opportunities, programs, and resources for hardtech and manufacturing startups. #FORGEImpact #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Connecticut #Innovation #FounderSupport

🚨 Major Funding Opportunity for Massachusetts Climatetech Infrastructure Organizations supporting climatetech innovation in Massachusetts should be paying attention to this. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (@MassCEC ) Climatetech Testing & Demonstration Assets (TDA) Program is expected to launch its FY26 RFP this summer and will provide capital grants ranging from $1.5M to $5M to help build shared testing, validation, pilot, and demonstration infrastructure for climatetech companies across Massachusetts. What makes this program particularly interesting is that it is not funding individual startups directly. Instead, it is designed to fund the physical infrastructure and shared assets that startups often struggle to access on their own. The program is aimed at Massachusetts-based Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), including: • Nonprofits • Public agencies • Universities • Incubators and testbeds • Shared innovation facilities The focus is on building long-term shared infrastructure that can support climatetech R&D, testing, manufacturing readiness, commercialization, and deployment for years to come. Projects are expected to have at least a 10-year useful life and improve access to real-world testing and demonstration environments. MassCEC specifically highlights gaps in: ⚡ Testing and demonstration capacity 🏭 Pilot manufacturing infrastructure 🔬 Specialized fabrication and lab capabilities 🌎 Real-world deployment and validation environments 📈 Commercialization pathways and market access Example projects include: ⚡ Long-duration energy storage pilot pads 🏭 Pilot-scale fabrication lines 🏗️ Building performance labs 🌊 Coastal resilience demonstration sites 💻 Shared digital infrastructure and maker spaces This is also part of Massachusetts’ broader climatetech economic development strategy and one of the first major programs launched under the 2024 Mass Leads Act. The larger goal is to strengthen Massachusetts as a global hub for climatetech innovation, manufacturing, and deployment. MassCEC is holding upcoming pre-RFP office hours for organizations interested in understanding project fit and preparing early: 📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 12 PM ET 📅 Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 12 PM ET Learn more here masscec.com/program/climat… FORGE works with hardtech and climatetech innovators every day as they navigate the challenges of scaling physical products, manufacturing readiness, supplier engagement, testing, and commercialization. Programs like this can play an important role in strengthening the infrastructure ecosystem needed to support those companies long term. Follow FORGE for more updates, opportunities, and resources for hardtech innovators. #FORGEImpact #ClimateTech #CleanEnergy #MassCEC #Innovation #Manufacturing #HardTech #ClimateInnovation

🚀The FORGE 2025 Impact Report is here. This past year, we continued to see what happens when innovators, manufacturers, suppliers, and ecosystem partners come together with the shared goal of getting hardtech built and scaled locally. From startup growth and manufacturing connections to product development support and regional supply chain impact, the results speak for themselves. The companies in the FORGE network are not just building products. They are building the future of advanced manufacturing, climatech, robotics, medtech, defense, and physical AI. We are proud to support the innovators and manufacturers turning ambitious ideas into real products and real economic impact across the region. Take a look at the full report and see what the FORGE network accomplished together in 2025: forgeimpact.org/forge-2025-imp… If you care about strengthening local manufacturing, scaling hardtech innovation, and building resilient supply chains, follow FORGE to stay connected. #FORGEImpact #Hardtech #ManufacturingInnovation #SupplyChain #StartupEcosystem #AdvancedManufacturing

🚨 FORGE founders, this is one to seriously consider We’re sharing an opportunity from our friends at @Polaris_TB Tech Bridge: 🌊 BlueTIDE 2026 in Newport, RI This is not a typical showcase. BlueTIDE is a live, mission-driven technology demonstration in which selected companies test and validate solutions in real-world conditions, with direct visibility from DoD, the Navy, investors, and industry leaders. Why this matters, especially for FORGE innovators If you’re building: 🤖 Autonomous systems 📡 Sensors or hardware 🔗 Communications platforms 🛡️ Dual-use or defense tech This is a rare chance to: 🎯 Get real-time feedback from decision-makers 🌊 Demonstrate your tech in an operational environment 🤝 Build relationships with DoD and industry partners 🚀 Open doors to funding and deployment pathways This isn’t a booth. It’s a prove-it-in-the-field moment. What participation looks like 📝 Apply to the Collaborative Integration Opportunity 💻 Qualify through virtual demos 🌐 Selected teams participate in a live, in-water mission scenario in Newport 📅 Event: August 26–27, 2026 ⏰ Application deadline: May 22 Who should apply? FORGE companies that are: ▶️ Past prototype and moving toward real-world validation ▶️ Ready to show how their tech performs in mission-driven environments ▶️ Interested in defense and dual-use pathways If that’s you, this is worth a hard look. Learn More and Apply: 401techbridge.org/bluetide/ 👉 Follow FORGE for more opportunities like this and to stay connected to the people and resources that help you get to production. #FORGEImpact #Hardtech #DefenseTech #DualUse #Manufacturing #Startups #Innovation #DoD #Navy #AutonomousSystems #Sensors #HardwareStartups #TechTransfer

These are the reasons startups fail. This is exactly where FORGE shows up. Look at the top drivers: • No market need (42%) • Ran out of cash (29%) • Not the right team (23%) • Pricing and cost issues (18%) • Poor product or unclear business model (17%) For physical product companies, these don’t live in isolation. They show up in design decisions, supplier choices, and how early (or late) manufacturing gets pulled into the conversation. At FORGE, we work directly in these failure points: – We connect innovators to right-fit suppliers who bring real-world constraints into the process early – We help teams understand what it actually takes to move from prototype to production – We create opportunities to pressure test assumptions around cost, scalability, and manufacturability – We bring the ecosystem together so companies are not building in a vacuum Because when startups fail, it’s often not one big mistake. It’s a series of small decisions made without the right input at the right time. The earlier you engage with the manufacturing ecosystem, the better your chances of getting it right. Learn more about how FORGE supports innovators: forgeimpact.org Follow FORGE for more insights like this. Graphic source: CB Insights (via Statista/Forbes) #FORGEImpact #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Startups #ProductDevelopment #SupplyChain

Fuel your Boston Climate Week with real insights on scaling climatetech. Join FORGE and Next Rung Technology for a Boston Climate Week edition of Coffee & Carbs at @GreentownLabs. ☕ Coffee. 🍩 Donuts. Real conversations about scaling climatetech. This is not a lecture. It is a working session focused on what actually moves projects forward. You will hear: • Data-driven insights from real FOAK pilot and commercial plant projects • Practical takeaways from The Baker’s Dozen • Small group discussions with people who have done this before • How to think about scaling from prototype to production without costly missteps FORGE will also be onsite, connecting with innovators and sharing resources to help you move from concept to manufacturable, scalable systems. Details: 📅 May 7, 2026 🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Greentown Labs, Somerville, MA 👉 Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/coffee-… Follow FORGE for more opportunities to connect, learn, and build smarter. #FORGEImpact #BostonClimateWeek #Climatetech #Hardtech #Manufacturing #FOAK #StartupScaling #CleanTech #Innovation

What does investor readiness actually look like when someone starts digging into your business? Join FORGE and Wiggin and Dana for a practical session on investor readiness, capital stack basics, and choosing the right funding path. Jack Sousa, partner at @WigginandDana LLP wiggin(x), will break down what investor diligence really means, how different funding mechanisms and equity structures work, and how to align the right capital to your stage. No generic pitch advice. Just a clear framework you can take back and use immediately. If you are preparing for investor conversations or actively navigating funding decisions, you will walk away with: • A clear picture of what diligence readiness looks like and where you may have gaps • A practical breakdown of funding mechanisms and capital stack structure • Insight into how to match funding paths to your stage • Concrete next steps and real connections Register here: forgeimpact.org/events/forge-i… Follow FORGE for more events and insights just like this! #FORGEImpact #Startups #CapitalStrategy #InvestorReadiness #StartupFunding

From Momentum to Execution Our latest FORGE newsletter is live. This month’s update highlights where to plug in and what to pay attention to. From upcoming sessions on investor readiness and capital strategy to conversations around robotics, AI in manufacturing, and product development, these are opportunities to learn directly from the people doing the work. We’re also sharing a new Tools of the Trade feature on prototyping decisions, along with a few recent wins from across the FORGE network. Take a few minutes to see what’s coming up and where you can engage: conta.cc/4vIPrV4 Sign up for our newsletter for more opportunities to connect, learn, and build. #FORGEImpact

Physical AI Moves to the Factory Floor: Laminar Wins Gold Edison Award A strong signal for where manufacturing is heading. Laminar (Formerly H2Ok Innovations) has been awarded Gold at the @EdisonAwards , recognizing its work in bringing real, deployable physical AI into process manufacturing. Learn More from Edison Awards: edisonawards.com/finalist/lamin… Their platform turns traditionally manual operations into self-driving processes using sensors and machine learning, helping manufacturers run faster, reduce downtime, and cut water and chemical use. This is already in production with global companies like Coca-Cola and Unilever. This is what the “self-driving factory” looks like when it is actually working on the floor. Laminar is part of the FORGE network. Great to see this level of recognition. Read more here: prnewswire.com/news-releases/… Follow FORGE to stay close to the companies shaping the future of manufacturing. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #PhysicalAI #Industry40 #SmartManufacturing #Automation #AIinManufacturing #SupplyChain #Innovation #CleanTech

SBIR/STTR Reauthorized Through 2031 Good news for the innovation and manufacturing community. S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, has been signed into law, reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program through 2031. SBIR provides non-dilutive funding directly to small businesses to develop and de-risk new technologies. STTR supports similar work but requires collaboration with a research institution, helping move ideas from labs into real-world applications. For physical product companies, this is critical. Prototyping, testing, and early production planning all require capital well before revenue. These programs help bridge that gap and create a path toward commercialization. This update does more than extend the timeline: • Keeps these programs in place through 2031, providing long-term stability • Introduces “strategic breakthrough” funding, enabling larger Phase II awards (up to $30 M) tied to scaling and transition • Expands support for commercialization, workforce training, and access to acquiring agencies At FORGE, we see the impact directly. This kind of funding helps get products started. Turning that into something that can actually be manufactured and scaled is where the real work begins. Read the full bill here: congress.gov/bill/119th-con… Follow FORGE to stay connected to the people and resources helping companies move from innovation to production. #FORGEImpact #SBIR #STTR #Manufacturing #Hardtech #ProductDevelopment #Innovation

Your product might be progressing. But is your development process actually set up to get you to production? Hardware startups rarely fail because the idea is not strong enough. They struggle when product development becomes reactive, fragmented, and disconnected from manufacturing reality. Decisions get made out of sequence. Suppliers get pulled in too late. Testing and certification create surprises. Costs and timelines start to drift. That is exactly what we are addressing in the final session of the FORGE Manufacturing Readiness Workshop Series. On April 28, Managing Development Processes focuses on how to intentionally structure the full journey from early prototype through pilot production and into scale. This session is led by Peter Russo, MBA, CPM, who brings more than 20 years of experience building and scaling companies. As advisor to MassMEP and Scale For ClimateTech, and former board advisor for FORGE, he’s guided countless startups through the critical challenges of manufacturing readiness, operational efficiency, and commercialization. Peter’s perspective is grounded in what actually happens when products move toward production. He will walk through how to sequence decisions across design, sourcing, tooling, testing, certifications, and supplier engagement so that development stays aligned, risks are reduced, and options remain open as you scale. If you are working toward pilot production or preparing for manufacturing, this session will help you avoid the kind of missteps that are hard and expensive to unwind. 🖥️ Online 📅 April 28 ⌛ 11:00 AM to 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. #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #ProductDevelopment #HardwareInnovation #SupplyChain #DesignForManufacturing #Hardtech #AdvancedManufacturing

Strengthening Massachusetts Manufacturing Through Leadership and Partnership Laura Teicher, Executive Director of FORGE, was honored to connect with Massachusetts State Senator @Barry_Finegold for a great meeting and continued conversation on strengthening manufacturing in Massachusetts at @The Center at Innovation Drive - Tewksbury, MA. We’re grateful for Senator Finegold’s ongoing support and leadership, and for the thoughtful discussion around addressing challenges in manufacturing and building more resilient local supply chains. Learn more about how FORGE is advancing manufacturing in MA: forgeimpact.org #FORGEImpact #Manufacturing #Massachusetts #SupplyChain #HardTech #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment #LocalManufacturing #ManufacturingLeadership #MadeInMassachusetts

If you are building a physical product, you already know the hard part is not the idea. It's getting from prototype to something that can actually be built, scaled, and delivered. That's why getting into the right rooms matters. @Startup_Maine Week is happening May 18–21 in Portland. Four days built for founders, with a mix of early-stage content and 201/301 programming for companies pushing toward real growth. For FORGE startups, this is a strong opportunity to: • Connect with other founders working through scaling challenges • Get practical insight on funding, operations, and growth • Build relationships that can help you move faster Pricing details: • Early-bird: $129 (through April 17) • General admission: $199 • Startup 5-Pack: $549 for teams of five If this lines up with where you are right now, it is worth a look: startupmaineweek.regfox.com/2026 Follow FORGE for more opportunities, insights, and connections that help you move from prototype to production. #FORGEImpact #HardTech #StartupGrowth #Manufacturing #Entrepreneurship #SupplyChain #ScalingUp #Innovation

Teams are spending time chasing capital that is not the right fit in the first place. Let's talk about that. Smart Capital Options: The Right Financing at Every Stage of Manufacturing 📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 ⌛ 11:30 am to 1:00 pm 🖥️ Online Join us for a practical 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 We will cover: • How to identify funding paths that are realistic for your current stage • What lenders, investors, and programs are actually looking for • How to position your company to improve your chances of securing capital • Common missteps that make it harder to raise or access funding If you are actively trying to fund growth, this will help you make better decisions about where to spend your time. 👉 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

Last week, Connecticut’s hardtech ecosystem showed up twice. At UB School of Engineering, we heard panels on how robots are moving from research to workforce reality. Then, at NHRL Battlegrounds, Outsiders Fund, Startup Westport, and NY Robotics brought together hardtech robotics founders, investors, and policymakers to discuss the impact of Robotics and Physical AI. FORGE was in the room for both. Trinell Ball represented FORGE at these events, engaging directly with founders, manufacturers, and ecosystem leaders who are pushing robotics and Physical AI toward real-world deployment. The gap between demo and deployment is closing. Physical AI is moving beyond the hype. Academic researchers, manufacturers, founders, and funders were in the same rooms discussing the same practical topics: • Strategic scaling • Capital flow • Geopolitical implications • Economic impact • How to empower emerging hardtech innovators in robotics As Commissioner of Economic Development and Chief Innovation Officer for the State of CT Dan O’Keefe frames it: Connecticut has the “right to win” in robotics and automation. Not because we are chasing innovation theater, but because we know how to make things work at scale. If you are building in robotics or Physical AI and thinking about what it takes to move from prototype to production, this is the conversation to be part of. Follow FORGE to stay connected to the people, programs, and partnerships driving manufacturing forward. #FORGEImpact #Robotics #PhysicalAI #Hardtech #Manufacturing #Innovation #Connecticut #Automation #StartupEcosystem #AdvancedManufacturing

We’re proud to be a promotional partner for Beyond Business As Usual 2026: Scaling Resilient Entrepreneurship, hosted by reSET. This one-day summit brings together entrepreneurs, funders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders from across Connecticut for something we need more of right now: real conversations that lead to real action. Expect: • Dynamic panel discussions • Interactive roundtables • Practical insights on funding, policy, and business growth • Direct engagement with experts and peers 📅 May 7 📍 CT State Community College – Gateway What stands out is the focus on tackling the actual challenges small businesses are facing, not just talking about them in theory. If you’re building, supporting, or investing in businesses in Connecticut, this is a room worth being in. 👉 Learn more and get involved: resetco.org/bbau And if you care about strengthening the connection between innovation, entrepreneurship, and real economic impact, follow FORGE. #FORGEImpact #ConnecticutInnovation #CTStartups #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #InnovationEconomy #BusinessGrowth