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128 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2014 Where the world's most innovative companies come to grow What is CI, and how can it help your business? C onnecticut Innova- tions is the leading source of financing for innovative, grow- ing companies in Connecticut and for those willing to move here — and companies from other states and as far away as Europe have done just that. A quasi-public organization based in Rocky Hill, CI is pri- marily an early-stage venture capital investor, seeking out companies in industries where Connecticut is strong. These include information technol- ogy, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and bioscience and medical devices. CI also provides flexible loans for es- tablished companies, grants for companies with new technolo- gies, and strategic support to companies in any stage. CI employs 65 people, many with expertise in critical business areas including accounting, en- gineering, talent development, operations, marketing and public relations. The company's deep bench also includes scientists, entrepreneurs, experienced risk capital investors and commercial lenders, all of whom are on hand to help drive a company forward. Under the direction of CEO Claire Leonardi, a veteran ven- ture capital investor, CI over- sees more than $200 million in investments. It invests about $45 million in Connecticut businesses each year, leverag- ing dollars from other investors in the process. The organization's five divisions integrate seamlessly to help companies thrive no matter what stage of the busi- ness life cycle they're in. The divisions are: Venture Capital The sixth most active early-stage investor in the country, CI operates like a private venture firm in that it is focused on returns and uses private sector principles and standards when evaluat- SPONSORED PROFILE Above: An urban high density farming business that uses proprietary technology, MetroCrops LLC of Bridgeport converted an abandoned factory into an indoor lettuce farm. The company took advantage of numerous CI programs and with CI's help won a Small Business Innovation Research grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.