Industry 4.0
IoT Integration Voucher Program (IVP)

Program and Application Information

Program Purpose

The IoT Integration Voucher Program (IVP) provides financial assistance to Connecticut Manufacturers to help them with the adoption and integration of IoT solutions. The goal of the program is to ensure that the Connecticut Supply Chain is positioned to implement modern digital manufacturing tools so that they can continue to compete favorably against any manufacturing sector in the world.

Program Highlights

• The program is being administered on a first-come first-served basis.
• Financial assistance will be provided in the form of a matching grant.
• Grant amounts from $2,500 to a maximum of $20,000 will be awarded.
• Applicants must match grant awards dollar for dollar.
• The maximum amount awarded to any one company under this program will be $20K.
• A third-party vendor or service provider must be used to execute the proposed project.
• Proposed funding uses should be in accordance with the program's goal of making Connecticut manufacturers more efficient, productive, profitable and generally more competitive in nature.
• Only projects that have not been committed to and don't start until after submission of your application will be considered for funding.
• Appropriate due diligence will be performed which may include a site visit to your manufacturing facility.
• Companies that receive a grant under this program will be required to complete an impact report 6 months following their award date.

Program Eligibility

• Must be a Manufacturer or Allied Service Provider (Allied Service Providers only include companies that physically interact with a manufactured good to alter the product - for example industrial Heat Treaters and industrial Platers).
• The company must have a manufacturing facility in Connecticut or relocating operations to CT.
• Company must be registered for at least 3-years and currently generating revenue.
• 51% or more of the company's revenue must be generated from the sale of goods the applicant manufactures or from allied services provided to manufacturers.
• Company must have at least 3 full-time employees and less than 300.
• Total proposed project value must be at least $5,000.
• The company's manufacturing facility must be operating in an appropriately zoned commercial area.
• Company must not have received $20K or more from IVP program previously.
• Must be in Good Standing with both the CT Department of Revenue Services and CT Department of Labor at time of application submission.

Funding Uses

The Program will consider projects that are expected to achieve substantial and measurable improvements to the company's overall profitability and competitiveness. Only projects that commence after submission of your application will be considered for funding.

Typical uses of this funding include, but are not limited to the following:

• Acquisition of hardware and software in the Industry 4.0 Technology groups.
• Third-party consultants retained to (a) evaluate the suitability of the company's data infrastructure and procedures for the proposed initiative or (b) advise the company in selecting and implementing such hardware and software, except that the matching grant portion related to these third-party consulting fees shall be limited to a maximum of $5,000.
• Other such costs that the Advisory Board and/or DECD deems eligible.

• IoT Infrastructure Hardware.
• Predictive maintenance software.
• Collaborative robotics.
• Sensor integration into industrial tools & shop floor machinery.
• Industrial Smart Glasses Integration.
• Industrial Wearable Technology Integration.
• Industrial Track and Trace Technology Integration.
• Sensor Driven Assembly and Repair Instructions.
• Sensor driven transmission of real-time info from factory floor to customers or suppliers.
• Centrally connecting and monitoring real-time production data of multiple facilities.
• Data Analytics software/Engineering.
• Data Visualization software.

Ineligible Funding Uses

While the IVP Program will consider all proposed funding uses that align with its goals, it has specifically identified the following activities as ineligible uses of the funds:

• Debt restructuring
• Ongoing operational costs
• Loan payments
• Costs related to the sale of disposal of business assets.
• Lobbying
• Workforce training
• Vehicles Requiring DMV Registration

Application Submission & Process Considerations

• Applications will be processed on a first-come first-served basis.
• Only fully completed applications with the required attachments will be considered for funding.
• A recent project quote or proposal from a vendor or service provider MUST accompany your application.
• A completed project budget form must be submitted with your application.
• Evidence of the applicant's ability to meet the required funding match must be provided (i.e. bank statement, credit line availability, etc).
• Letters of Good Standing from the CT Department of Revenue Service and the CT Department of Labor must accompany your application submission.
• Companies not in "good standing" with the Department of Revenue Services or Department of Labor are not eligible to apply.
• It normally takes 30 days for your application to be processed once we have received all the required documents.
• The online application "submission button" will be automatically deactivated based on availability of state funds.
• The "Save Draft Application" button on the application form allows you to save a partially completed application and return at a later date and time to complete and submit your funding request.
• Applications must be submitted online using the program's online form.

Monitoring and Compliance

• We will contact you approximately 6 months after your award date to confirm project execution and impacts.
• We will ask you to complete and submit a one page impact report.
• We will ask you to complete a one page Statement of Program Cost.
• We will ask you to provide proof of project execution and payment.
• There will be a claw back of grant funds if you have not implemented the project scope as agreed in the contract

Administrative Process

Click here to download the IVP Administrative Process flowchart.