Why Is Connecticut The Best Place To Start A Business?

If you’re building a business in Connecticut, you’ll be hiring from a high-quality pool of talent. Workers here are consistently among the most productive workforce in the country, according to CNBC’s analysis of U.S. Labor Department and Commerce Department data, and the state also boasts one of America’s most educated workforces. 

Connecticut is a top 5 state on the Human Capital Investment & Composite Index, according to the Milliken Institute, and in the top 10 of state economies rankings, according to U.S. News and World Report. Workers are drawn to jobs here because of Connecticut’s convenient, strategic location and proximity to New York and Boston, its dynamic economy, high wages, strong workplace culture, and exceptional quality of life.

Build, Grow, and Succeed in Connecticut

Launch your future in a state where innovation prospers, where entrepreneurs turn bold dreams into reality and small businesses grow with strong support. Employers choose Connecticut because of a business climate that helped score a 7th Best State for Business ranking. And according to the latest federal data, the five-year survival rate for new businesses in Connecticut clocks in at a strong 57.5 percent. That puts the state at second place nationally, out-performing the U.S. average of about 51.6 percent.

Find out what it really means to be a part of Connecticut’s ecosystem of support. Here are local accelerators and incubators that are fueling the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship across industries.

Diversity and Inclusion As Core Values 

Diversity is at the heart of our state identity, with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices reflected in our policies, workplaces, cultural groups, and communities. Connecticut creates an environment where residents feel safe, welcomed, and empowered to live their ideal lives. 

• Connecticut is a top 10 state for gender equity (#7, US News and World Report), and a top 10 state for racial progress. (WalletHub)
• Eight of our cities rank in the top 25 for diversity (WalletHub) and the state is ranked #2 in the LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index. (Out Leadership)

A Well-Educated Workforce

Home to some of the country’s top-performing public schools and renowned universities, Connecticut prioritizes education at every stage. Connecticut has the #2 best school systems in the country, and is among the top 5 most educated states in the country, according to WalletHub. The state also has the third-highest percentage of graduate or professional degree holders in the country. 

WalletHub also ranks Connecticut’s average university quality as #4 in the nation, with Yale University in the top 5 best national universities and University of Connecticut ranked #32 in top public schools, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Location & Proximity (To Everything)

While Connecticut offers plenty to love within its own state borders, it’s also conveniently located between New York City and Boston, with both cities easily reachable via train. Travel is easy with the Metro-North commuter rail service to New York City and high-speed rail Amtrak lines throughout the Northeast, including to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Connecticut is positioned in one of the country’s most accessible areas. 

Strategically situated, Connecticut lies within 500 miles of more than 29% of the U.S. population (over 96 million people), 29% of U.S. business establishments, and 33% of the nation’s GDP, placing it at the heart of America’s economic engine, according to AdvanceCT.

Connecticut is also within 500 miles of 66% of Canada’s population and 62% of Canada’s business establishments, (including major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa), offering key connections to both U.S. and global markets. Thanks to its prime East Coast location, extensive highway networks, rail travel options, top-rated Bradley International Airport, and multiple deep-water ports, Connecticut offers easy access to key populations and business hubs.

Connecticut is an ideal place to start a business because it combines a highly skilled and educated workforce, strong intellectual capital, and a business-friendly environment with easy access to major East Coast markets. With a collaborative community, top-ranked education, and resources for startups, Connecticut provides the foundation and opportunities needed for businesses to succeed.