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MakeHaven Stamp

Entrepreneurs

New Haven supports a broad entrepreneurial economy that ranges from neighborhood businesses, restaurants, retailers, makers, and professional services to high-growth companies in life sciences, technology, climate innovation, and other emerging industries.

The city’s strength is the depth of its support network. Entrepreneurs can tap into universities, incubators, accelerators, technical-assistance providers, investors, workforce organizations, and City programs that help with business planning, financing, licensing, space, hiring, and growth. New Haven also places particular emphasis on expanding access to entrepreneurship for business owners who have historically faced barriers to capital, contracts, and professional networks. (City of New Haven)

The City of New Haven Small Business Resource Center serves as a first stop for entrepreneurs and existing businesses. It provides individualized advising, training, and referrals and works with organizations including the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, SCORE, the Small Business Administration, and local business-support partners. The City also operates programs such as the Small Contractor Development Program and façade-improvement assistance. (City of New Haven)

Yale Ventures supports the commercialization of research and the development of new companies through technology transfer, licensing, mentorship, accelerators, investment programs, and connections to industry and capital. Its programs serve faculty and student innovators, while events such as the Yale Innovation Summit bring founders, investors, researchers, and corporate partners to New Haven. The 2026 Summit featured companies across biotech, health, technology, climate, civic innovation, and the arts. (Yale Ventures)

ClimateHaven, based in downtown New Haven, has added another important piece to the city’s startup infrastructure. The incubator helps climate-technology companies move from research to commercialization through workspace, mentorship, industry partnerships, and access to investors. Its Water Innovation Hub, launched in 2025, connects startups with utilities and corporate partners to test and deploy new technologies. (ClimateHaven)

New Haven’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is particularly strong because it connects businesses at different stages and in different industries. Research-based companies can draw on Yale and the city’s life sciences and technology infrastructure, while neighborhood and small businesses can access City programs, technical assistance, financing resources, and local business networks. Together, these resources help entrepreneurs start businesses, build jobs, attract investment, and strengthen commercial districts throughout the city.

Recent Milestones

  • Yale Ventures continues to expand New Haven’s innovation ecosystem, with major startup financing and acquisitions in 2025 and continued entrepreneurship programming in 2026. (Yale Ventures)

  • The Yale Innovation Summit returned in 2026, bringing founders, researchers, investors, and industry partners to New Haven across six innovation tracks. (Yale Ventures)

  • ClimateHaven expanded its startup programming, including development of its Water Innovation Hub and new corporate partnerships supporting technology commercialization. (ClimateHaven)

  • New Haven’s Small Business Resource Center remains active as the City’s primary entry point for entrepreneurs, offering direct advising, training, and referrals to additional resources. (City of New Haven)

Entrepreneur Resources

Updated August 2026