Connecticut may cover only 4,845 square miles, but companies within its compact borders generate over $208 billion in annual technology revenues. From stalwarts stretching back over a century to promising startups launched in the past year, software developers, aerospace engineers, AI experts, and other tech professionals are advancing breakthrough innovations across the state.
Let‘s explore some of the leading tech titans and entrepreneurs putting Connecticut on the map in fields from fintech to defense contracting and beyond!
An Undersized State Making Outsized Technological Impacts
- Over 6,800 tech companies based in Connecticut
- Employs over 160,000 technology professionals – over 5% of state workforce
- Tech sector generated $35 billion in economic output in 2020 – 14% of state GDP
- Average tech industry wages are 86% higher than average state salaries
With globally respected corporations like United Technologies, Xerox and Priceline Group calling it home, Connecticut punches above its weight technologically. Tax incentives, research grants and partnerships between industry and top academic institutions like Yale help cultivate breakthrough innovations.
And the future looks bright – Connecticut trails only Massachusetts and Colorado among states with the highest projected tech job growth over the next decade!
Unrivaled In Aerospace: United Technologies and Pratt & Whitney Set the Pace
Simsbury based United Technologies stands synonymous with technological excellence. By merging aerospace leaders like Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins into unified powerhouse Raytheon Technologies, CEO Greg Hayes oversees defining brands in aviation and defense.
- $56 billion in sales, 180,000 employees globally
- 80,000 patents and counting
- Pratt & Whitney engines power 48% of global aircraft fleets
Especially renowned for precision engineered aircraft engines, Pratt & Whitney traces its Connecticut heritage to 1925. Today, next-generation Geared Turbofan Engines set new standards in fuel efficiency through innovative gear system technology.
Supporting over 11,000 aircraft for Airbus, Boeing and beyond, Pratt & Whitney sees bright skies ahead:
"Connecticut offers an unbeatable combination of aerospace talent and university partnerships to advance our R&D," said CTO Paul Adams. "With air travel rapidly recovering globally, we plan to hire over 8,000 more local engineers and manufacturers by 2030 to satisfy soaring demand."
Beyond United Technologies, Connecticut also hosts defense contractors like Stratford‘s Sikorsky Aircraft (acquired by Lockheed Martin) developing state of the art military helicopters and unmanned drones.
Revving Up The Future: Electric Vehicle Maker Rivian Rolls Into Connecticut
Electric automakers like Rivian represent the future of transportation – and Connecticut is set to play a key role. With Rivian building its second US manufacturing plant here by 2025, the startup projects adding 6,000 local advanced manufacturing jobs.
Rivian has already drawn billions in investments from Ford ($500 million), Amazon ($1.3 billion) and others, valuing it at an astronomical $80 billion.
"Connecticut offers an exceptionally skilled manufacturing workforce along with extensive infrastructure support for large-scale EV production," said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe on selecting the state. "With ample room for expansion, we aim to create America‘s next great auto plant here!"
Software & Engineering Giants: SS&C Technologies, ASML Holding Branch Out
From its Windsor headquarters, SS&C Technologies delivers mission-critical financial software and cloud services supporting over $37 trillion in assets for leading banks/asset managers globally.
- $5 billion in 2021 revenue
- 24,900 employees across 80+ offices
- Handles accounting for 63% of the world’s hedge fund assets
Meanwhile, ASML Holding represents semiconductor engineering at its most advanced. Deploying extreme ultraviolet lithography enabling logic/memory chip makers to shrink components, ASML‘s Wilton facility develops bleeding-edge EUV machines costing over $150 million each!
Launching Tomorrow‘s Titans: 5 Connecticut Startups To Watch
While established corporations anchor Connecticut‘s tech landscape, the future promises ever-rising contributions from its vibrant startup scene.
Here are 5 of the state‘s most promising early stage ventures:
RxAll (New Haven) – Using integrated spectroscopy sensors, RxAll offers pharmacies, hospitals and consumers low-cost technology guaranteeing medicine quality.
CoreChain Technologies (Stamford) – Providing infrastructure enabling tokenized asset transactions on blockchain, CoreChain just secured $3 million in Series A financing.
RevTech Services (Westport) – Tackling global food waste/spoilage, RevTech applies patented microwave-assisted thermal sterilization to extend produce shelf life 300%+.
BuffaloGrid (New Haven) – Through portable hubs offering charged batteries to rural consumers lacking electricity access, BuffaloGrid closed a $5 million funding round in February 2022.
Dari Motion (Stamford) – Using smartphone sensors for physical therapy exercises, Dari Motion‘s engagement-focused digital health platform is now used by leading medical centers and insurers nationwide.
"Connecticut offers unmatched support turning research insights into commercial startups," explained RxAll CEO Adebayo Alonge. "From incubator programs at Yale and UConn to venture funding sources like Connecticut Innovations, we have all the ingredients for growth."
The Outlook Shines Bright for Technology Companies in Connecticut
Airbus projects doubling aircraft production over the next 15 years. Microchips remain in perpetually short supply. And cybercrime damages already exceed $1 trillion annually…globally.
Connecticut‘s strategically positioned technology giants and emerging disruptors stand ready to seize such unrelenting demand across aerospace, computing, security, health tech and more over the horizon.
By tracing the progress of its multifaceted industry from early advancements like submarine designs, helicopter prototypes and mainframe computers to transformative modern innovations around blockchain, quantum computing and 6G connectivity, one truth becomes clear – despite its small size geographically, Connecticut‘s impact on the technology world appears boundless!
