Innovation Nights

Register for this live, hands-on workshop from The Dames on March 24 to learn how to position your business so Large Language Models (LLMs) recognize your company, understand your business, and confidently recommend your services. buff.ly/SdhzOs1

🚀 Applications are open for the 2026 Eddies! 2025 Finalist Jack Duffy Protentis of eSki: “The mentors are really the highlight… shifting up my pitch and making it much more refined.” Learn more massinnov.org/the-eddies #Eddies2026 #MassachusettsStartups

Four Massachusetts startups will pitch at the Austin festival next week, competing for funding in front of venture capitalists and industry experts. bizjournals.com/boston/inno/st…

The Innovation Women Kickstart Cohort returns this April! 🎤 This four-week program helps speaker members strengthen their profiles, learn the platform and start positioning themselves for more speaking opportunities. Learn more & reserve your spot here: shop.innovationwomen.com/product/kickst…

Join @WomenInno and Susan Baracco for The Book Writing MasterClass on Wed March 18 - you'll learn the key points that every debut author must know before diving into a book project. buff.ly/v8WnkAX

The March @LionessMagazine Networking session on 3/17 is all about the practical side of managing your finances. Bring your questions, lessons learned, and the tools that have (or haven’t) worked. buff.ly/qX6mGTl

@GreentownLabs, Shell, and @TechnipEnergies are seeking #startups developing novel catalytic technologies that advance #decarbonization and defossilization across the #energy and #chemical sectors. Apply by March 10th buff.ly/eYCB2FB

Connect, learn, and grow with New England podcasters! Come for networking, insider tips + a featured speaker session with vocal coach Linda Ugelow. Whether you’re behind the mic, in front of the camera, or simply podcast-curious, this gathering is for you. buff.ly/aLZnUc0

Join Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds on March 12 for a dynamic, expert-led session that will help you cut through the uncertainty and make savvy decisions on patent strategy, copyright issues, and IP risk management in the context of AI. buff.ly/ChDMxY3 @hbsr_iplaw

🤖 Join us April 16, 2026 (9AM–2PM) at Innov8 in Woburn for the AI Summit: Operationalizing Intelligence & Driving Innovation — a cross-sector forum exploring how AI is transforming workforce development, healthcare delivery, and public service. Register: massinnov.org/event-details/…

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

🍻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

Join us for the 2026 Eddies – Virtual Information Session on Wed., March 11, from 12–1 PM for a complimentary, interactive session designed to help you prepare a strong application. Register now: massinnov.org/event-details/…

Join @GreentownLabs on March 5 for the Climatetech Intern Fair, where students and soon-to-be graduates can connect with Greentown Labs’ network of cutting-edge #climatetech #startups looking for bright and eager talent. buff.ly/3zYIvnl

Join @GreentownLabs on Wednesday, March 4 for a Renewable Energy Systems showcasing and networking event, celebrating the innovators driving the clean-energy transition. buff.ly/wqs6fUd

Coming up next week: The Export Expo from @maexportcenter, the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community: buff.ly/U3iVyi7

🚀@massventures START Grant Program is open! Non-dilutive funding ($100K–$500K) + mentoring to help MA #SBIR & #STTR Phase II companies turn research into thriving businesses. Apply by Feb 23: mass-ventures.com/start-program-…

On Thursday Feb 26, join The Private Directors Association for a discussion that will explore how boards assess evolving skill needs, refresh composition, and prepare for future leadership and governance demands. buff.ly/DBlLUIt @privdirassoc

🔎 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

Join @FORGEImpact on Feb 25, with IP attorneys John Harmon and John Hovestadt of @WolfGreenfield, for this webinar showing steps companies can take to strengthen their IP position, and present it during investor discussions, diligence, and fundraising. buff.ly/FNOZvUO