The FORGE Product Development Funding Program (PDFP) is non-dilutive funding awarded to emerging hardtech companies to support the development of a physical product and overcome the hardware “valley-of-death”. The goal of the grant is to remove barriers to scale and manufacturing, providing the necessary funds to solve for a specific product development challenge critical to the company’s ability to scale and/or reach the marketplace. Successful grant application will pinpoint that challenge and articulate how the grant funds will be used to overcome the roadblock, using Connecticut-based contract manufacturing and/or supplier resource/s*. This funding opportunity is open to CT-registered companies developing physical products, regardless of their sector. All applicants must have at minimum an early stage physical prototype, both “looks like” and “works like” prototypes are eligible. Awards will range from $30,000 to $100,000 and must be used by the winning company to address a specific product development challenge. Funds may be applied toward work carried out by a Connecticut-based supplier, as evidenced by accompanying quotes and/or work orders. This includes purchases of supplies, materials, or machinery from CT-based suppliers to support in-house manufacturing or product development. Companies may also use funds to collaborate with a Connecticut-based contract manufacturer or product development firm. Eligibility Criteria: 1. The applying company must be registered within the state of CT. 2. The funding must be used towards a CT-based firm, with supporting accompanying quote/s or work order/s included in your application* 3. If selected as a winner, a representative of your company must be able to present your project in person, at a public FORGE event in CT, date TBD. 4. The applying company cannot have received over $10,000 in non-dilutive funding from FORGE in the last 12 months. 5. Winning companies are required to share proof of project execution and payment and provide follow up data as requested by FORGE. 6. To help us understand the outcomes of our funding and how it may set the stage for future wins, we ask that you provide brief updates on key milestones, successes, and any additional opportunities that arise as a result of this grant. *If you need help identifying CT-based manufacturers or suppliers to work with, FORGE is here to help! Please sign up for a meeting with the program team here, at no cost, to discuss. If you have any questions, please reach out to david@forgeimpact.org. This application will close November 24th, 2025 at 11:59PM EST.