Connecticut Invents Official Logo

Your invention. Your future. Fully funded.

A transformative, promise-led initiative by the University of New Haven, FORGE, and Next Minds. Helping remove major financial, legal, and operational barriers between a student’s breakthrough idea and its real-world impact.

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Program Status: While the commitment to launching the program is total, operational elements of the application process are still being finalized. As such, we are not yet accepting applicants, but encourage interested parties to register for our Newsletter.

A Covenant to Innovation

The Transformative Promise

Connecticut Invents reflects a first-of-its-kind vision and partnership to seek, identify, and bring to market the most innovative and marketable youth-led concepts and products across Connecticut and beyond.

01 / The Spark

Whether you have registered structural sketches, a high school science fair idea, or an early-stage prototype from the Next Minds Invention Convention.

02 / The Build

Financing and executing complete legal patent searches, full patent filings, providing a 4-year scholarship at UNH, and engineering physical models at FORGE.

03 / The Product

Coaching venture viability, corporate structuring, royalty shares, and transitioning into a validated industrial-commercial product in the world.

Official Academic-Industrial MOU Guarantee
Unmatched Ecosystem

Program Benefits

Connecticut Invents bundles complete academic funding with the industrial, physical, and legal resources required to make your invention commercially scalable.

01
Academic Scholarship

4-Year Full Tuition

Receive a comprehensive 4-year undergraduate scholarship at the highly regarded University of New Haven. Focus wholly on academic and inventive milestones.

Learn more about UNH →
02
Legal Security

Full IP Protection

The University of New Haven takes full responsibility for filing and maintaining all patents, legally protecting your design globally.

Secured Asset Protection
03
Industrial Scale

Prototyping & Mfg

Access premium production resources through FORGE. Transition seamlessly from a simple mock-up to a certified, market-ready physical prototype.

Explore FORGE Network →
04
Venture Development

Expert Mentorship

Obtain executive advice on venture development, commercial models, and pitch preparation coordinated via the elite networks of Next Minds.

Explore Next Minds Network →
Connecticut Invents: A clear, supported path from idea to market.
Structured Evaluation

Application and Selection Process

01
Phase 01

Submit Invention

  • Complete secure digital application form below.
  • Upload blueprints, drawings, or CAD models.
  • Auto-encryption safeguards patent novelty.
02
Phase 02

Committee Review

  • Strict double-blind meritocratic review.
  • Assessed by external scholars & legal experts.
  • Rated on novelty, utility, & market potential.
03
Phase 03

Finalist Presentation

  • Invitation-only virtual or in-person pitch.
  • Guided mentoring by Next Minds experts.
  • Formulate strategic commercial narratives.
04
Phase 04

Award & Acceleration

  • Full-tuition scholarship at UNH awarded.
  • Direct access to FORGE's regional prototyping and manufacturing network.
  • Complete legal IP & patent protection.

A Message from Leadership

"What this collaboration represents is more than a business agreement. It is a promise that University of New Haven will meet talented young inventors where they are, back them with every resource at our disposal, and walk with them from that first spark of an idea to a product in the world."

Paul Lavoie

VP of Innovation & Applied Tech, UNH

"When Nick shared his vision, I knew we had the pieces to make it real. Connecticut Invents will be housed in The Elevation Center, which serves as a hub for applied research, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration."

Paul Lavoie

VP of Innovation & Applied Tech, UNH

"NextMinds was built on the conviction that young inventors see the world differently – and can use their unique creative problem-solving ability to make this a better world for us all."

Nick Briere

CEO, NextMinds

"FORGE provides these young minds direct entry to top regional manufacturing assets, physical materials, and certified prototype laboratories."

Laura Teicher

Executive Director, FORGE

Want to Get Involved?

Connecticut Invents thrives on the support of industry leaders, visionary donors, and community partners. If you are interested in sponsoring student inventors, providing mentorship, or partnering with our organizations, we want to hear from you.

Become a Partner
Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut Invents FAQ

Upon selection, the legal rights representing the patent are formally assigned to the University of New Haven (UNH) to facilitate full intellectual property filings and funding under the MOU. The program then maps direct commercial dividends, royalties, and startup shares back to the student inventor upon launch.
No. Most student inventors enter the program with unregistered blueprints or minor physical concepts. UNH legal specialists complete a preliminary novelty check, compile documentation, and submit formal patent filings completely free of charge.
The program is open to high school students, college undergraduates, and recent graduates situated within the state of Connecticut. The primary sourcing partner remains the Next Minds Invention Convention, but external applications are fully evaluated.
Yes. Proposals ranging from conceptual diagrams ("idea only") up to verified physical prototypes are evaluated. Sourcing early-stage concepts allows the FORGE manufacturing laboratories to guide the physical build from standard blueprints upwards.
While the official patent registration is assigned to UNH for financing, administration, and enforcement, student inventors hold guaranteed equitable royalties, revenue splits, and first rights of commercial deployment as founders of subsequent corporate startups.
Scholarship winners are eligible to matriculate into any undergraduate major within the Tagliatela College of Engineering, Pompea College of Business, or the College of Arts and Sciences. Coordinated studies in Innovation and Entrepreneurship are highly encouraged.