# Event Details - **Event Name**: Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 22 Jan, 2026 at 01:30 pm – Thu, 22 Jan, 2026 at 04:00 pm - **Event Description**: Join FORGE and M&T Bank to honor CT Product Development Grant awardees and connect with manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem leaders.About this EventJoin FORGE and M&T Bank for a special in-person celebration of innovative manufacturing in Connecticut. Together, we will announce the newest recipients of the Connecticut Product Development Grants and highlight how these awards support emerging hardtech startups working with in-state manufacturers to scale production of innovative products.The Product Development Grant program, supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund, strengthens the state’s manufacturing economy by helping innovators build relationships with local suppliers, accelerate their path to market, and become the next generation of CT manufacturers!This event brings together manufacturers, startups, suppliers, investors, and ecosystem partners to recognize the companies driving growth and innovation across Connecticut.Why AttendCelebrate the newest Product Development Grant awardeesBuild relationships with manufacturers and innovatorsGain insights from experienced leaders during the keynote and panelLearn how CT is strengthening its hardtech and manufacturing ecosystemTour Kubtec’s advanced manufacturing facilityWho Should AttendConnecticut manufacturers and suppliersHardtech and hardware startup foundersOperations, product development, and engineering leadersEconomic development and innovation ecosystem partnersInvestors and supporters of CT’s manufacturing economyOpening Remarks by:Kirti Patel is Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer with more than 25 years of global leadership experience in life sciences, medical imaging, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. He previously led Eppendorf Manufacturing Corporation in Enfield, driving significant growth, new product launches, and a major Connecticut facility expansion. Patel has held leadership roles at Siemens Healthcare, co-founded a pioneering 3D ultrasound start-up, and began his career in semiconductor process development at Intel. He also serves on nonprofit and startup advisory boards and holds degrees from Wharton, Stanford, UC Davis, and Mangalore University.Event Agenda1:30 PM to 2:00 PM | Welcome and networkingRegistration and refreshmentsConnect with FORGE, M&T Bank, CT manufacturers, and innovators2:00 PM to 3:30 PM | Event programmingOpening welcome from FORGEOpening Remarks by Kirti PatelWelcome remarks from Kubtec Medical ImagingPanel DiscussionFueling Connecticut’s Emerging Manufacturers: Capital, Collaboration and the Future of Regional Manufacturing Panelists: To Be AnnouncedAnnouncement of CT Product Development Grant winners3:30 PM to 4:00 PM | Guided factory tour of KubtecExplore cutting-edge imaging and manufacturing technologyLearn how Kubtec supports innovation and production in Connecticut4:00 PM | Event endVenue111 Research Dr.Stratford, CT 06615 - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281 - **Event Categories**: business, it - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Stratford - **state**: CT - **country**: United States - **location**: Kubtec Medical Imaging - **lat**: 41.1734459 - **long**: -73.1542772 - **full address**: Kubtec Medical Imaging, 111 Research Drive, Stratford, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/d8565df0d88af6eb91d46df781fe4ba893d699fde2d58288f63a7823b08dd8fd-rimg-w1200-h627-dcd5dcec-gmir.jpg?v=1765621128 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank being held? - **A:** Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank takes place on Thu, 22 Jan, 2026 at 01:30 pm to Thu, 22 Jan, 2026 at 04:00 pm at Kubtec Medical Imaging, 111 Research Drive, Stratford, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank? - **A:** Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank is organized by FORGE - From Prototype to IMPACT. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Stratford, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Make It Here: CT Product Development Grant Awards Presented by M&T Bank", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/d8565df0d88af6eb91d46df781fe4ba893d699fde2d58288f63a7823b08dd8fd-rimg-w1200-h627-dcd5dcec-gmir.jpg?v=1765621128", "startDate": "2026-01-22", "endDate": "2026-01-22", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Kubtec Medical Imaging", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "111 Research Drive", "postalCode": "06615", "addressLocality": "Stratford", "addressRegion": "CT", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "41.1734459", "longitude": "-73.1542772" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Join FORGE and M&T Bank to honor CT Product Development Grant awardees and connect with manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem leaders.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-16", "availabilityEnds": "2026-01-22", "validFrom": "2026-04-16", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-16", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-16", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281", "price": 0, "name": "Startup" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-16", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-16", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281", "price": 0, "name": "Manufacturer/Supplier" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-16", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-16", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281", "price": 0, "name": "Ecosystem Collaborator" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-16", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-16", "url": "https://allevents.in/stratford/make-it-here-ct-product-development-grant-awards-presented-by-mandt-bank/100001977524255281", "price": 0, "name": "Sponsor" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "FORGE - From Prototype to IMPACT", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/forge-from-prototype-to-impact/17686625", "description": "NOTICE FOR ALL FORGE EVENTS ATTENDEES: Please note that by participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image, and/or voice and authorize The Entrepreneurs Lounge and it's guests to use photographs, video, and audio recordings containing your likeness, image, and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\r\n \r\nAbout FORGE\r\nFORGE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit on a mission to help startups with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact at scale.\r\n \r\nTHE PROBLEM\r\nStartups making physical products are solving some of the world’s toughest problems, but face added roadblocks to scale. High early production costs and burn rate make right choices in design, supply, and manufacturing crucial to runway and success - yet many innovators have gaps in the specific connections and expertise needed to support the scaling process.\r\n \r\nOUR SOLUTION\r\nFORGE addresses crucial gaps and accelerates path to market for these startups by making right-fit introductions to industry expertise, combined with the training and support needed to ensure readiness for the connections to be productive. " } ] } ] ```