Fueling Innovation & Growth

Connecticut is a leader in innovation, investing heavily in R&D and talent. For centuries, Connecticut has been a haven for original ideas and fresh thinking and this drive toward the future has made the state home to acclaimed scientists, inventors, and creators, producing the first functional helicopter, anesthesia, the color television, and many more amazing discoveries. Wide-ranging talent and a strong business ecosystem with access to major east coast markets like NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. have made Connecticut the location of choice for companies of all sizes.

A unique mixture of pioneering start-ups, established industry leaders, and emerging innovators, alongside natural and cultural treasures, nationally ranked schools, and an exceptionally productive workforce has drawn workers and companies of all kinds to the state. These factors have resulted in Connecticut boasting the 2nd most Fortune 500 companies per capita in the U.S.¹, with 2 Fortune 100, 15 Fortune 500, and 26 Fortune 1000 companies² located throughout the state. Globally recognized brands like ESPN, Xerox and Cigna have made their headquarters in Connecticut, as have startups like Yale University quantum computing spinoff Quantum Circuits, Inc. Regardless of a company’s size, Connecticut has the talent to fuel their growth, and that talent is the cornerstone of our economy. 
 

Companies are drawn by the state's dynamic economy and workforce. Connecticut workers draw the #2 most federal contract dollars per capita⁶ of any state, owing to its prowess in the aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding industries — a fact that has contributed to the 6^th highest concentration of engineers⁷ in the country, further bolstering the state's position as a leader in the advanced manufacturing industry. Due to the concentration of wealth from the state's insurance and financial services industries and booming life sciences and technology stalwarts and startups, Connecticut companies invest the 5th most private R&D dollars per capita⁸ and are the recipients of the 8^th most venture capital dollars per capita⁹ in the U.S. All of these factors, in addition to our ideal geography, have made Connecticut the prime location for foreign company market entry into the U.S., resulting in the 10^th highest percentage of employment supported by international investment¹⁰, more than New York or Massachusetts. 

Connecticut knows how to support business growth - be fiscally responsible, have plans, policies and strategies that are easy to navigate, and invest in people. Connecticut invests heavily in education for all in primary and secondary school, boasting the 2^nd best public school system¹¹ in the nation along with the 2^nd best high schools¹² in the country, and removing the traditional barriers to workforce training. 

Connecticut's rank as the #4 state for college readiness¹³ ensures that our students, the workforce of the future, receive all the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. That investment is paying off — Connecticut’s highly skilled, highly educated workforce is rated among the best in the country and our companies are reaping the benefits of their talent. Our 38 colleges and universities — including the state's flagship school, the University of Connecticut (UConn), and world renowned Yale University, ranked the #3 best college in the country¹⁴ — mold some of the most future-ready workers in the nation.

De-Risk Your Business

A business location should strengthen your growth plans while protecting them from disruption. Connecticut offers a compelling combination of lower risk and operational stability for companies deciding where to invest, relocate, or expand. 

AdvanceCT’s comprehensive risk report examines the factors that can affect long-term performance, from natural disasters and infrastructure reliability to workforce health and fiscal stability. For businesses, Connecticut’s advantages reach into everyday operations. Its #4 ranking for broadband and the nation’s third-lowest frequency of power interruptions mean a more dependable foundation for staying connected and productive. With no areas of high or extreme water stress and a #9 ranking for lowest risk of climate-related disasters, Connecticut also gives companies reasons for confidence as they plan for future resource needs and environmental exposure.

That resilience extends to the people and institutions supporting your operations. Strong healthcare access, low crime, and an educated workforce support employee well-being and business continuity. Connecticut’s strengthened finances, including a Rainy Day Fund ranked #5 nationally in dollars per capita, reinforce its capacity to weather economic downturns. Together, these strengths give site selectors and business leaders a clearer basis for assessing long-term exposure, protecting capital investments, and planning for growth with greater confidence.

Learn more about how Connecticut can help de-risk your business here.

 

¹Fortune, 2025; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. ² Fortune, 2026. ³U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1Y, 2024—released Sep 2025. ⁴Defined by GDP per capita; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. ⁵WalletHub, 2026. ⁶U.S Department of War, FY 2024—Nov 2025 release; U.S. Census Bureau, PEP, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. ⁷Lightcast, 2024—Q3 2025 release; AdvanceCT calculations. ⁸National Science Foundation, 2022—released Sep 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022; AdvanceCT calculations. ⁹PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor, 2024; U.S. Census Bureau, PEP, 2024; AdvanceCT calculations. ¹⁰U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023–released 2025;activities of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Multinational Enterprise. ¹¹WalletHub, 2025. ¹²U.S. News & World Report, 2025. ¹³US News & World Report, 2025. ¹⁴WalletHub, 2026. ¹⁵WalletHub, 2025. ¹⁶WiseVoter, 2022. ¹⁷EIA, 2024.