Tour de Connecticut: A VC Group's Statewide Bike Journey

A Cycling Journey Through Connecticut’s Innovation Scene

About 20 individuals set off on a Monday morning from the South End of Stamford, but this wasn’t your typical commute. Instead of hopping into cars or trains, they chose two wheels for a journey that would last four days and cover 200 miles across Connecticut. This unique adventure is part of the third annual Tour de Connecticut bike ride, organized by Connecticut Innovations — a state-chartered venture capital organization. The event serves as a platform for officials to connect with representatives from their portfolio companies and gain firsthand insight into the state’s culture and economy.

“The most important thing is the community building,” said Matt McCooe, CEO of Connecticut Innovations. “It’s about finding ways to build relationships, build rapport, and support each other so companies can grow bigger and faster.”

The day began with breakfast at the CoCreate hub in the South End, where the Connecticut Innovations team — including staff members and supporters — gathered before heading west for a short ride to the offices of Kibu, located at 78 Harvard Ave. on the city’s west side. Since its launch three years ago, Connecticut Innovations has invested $650,000 in Kibu, a company that develops documentation software and skills-building content for service providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kibu shares its space with one of its clients, Abilis, which operates The Cohen Abilis Advancement Center.

“They were one of our earliest believers,” said Daniel Caridi, co-founder and CEO of Kibu. “Matt (McCooe) and the team heard about the idea and bought into the long-term vision. We really appreciate all the support they’ve given us.”

Caridi and Kibu’s chief operating officer and head of product, Ben Langley, joined the next leg of the tour, which took them on a 15-mile ride to the Inn at Longshore in Westport. There, the group participated in an event focused on consumer-product-goods companies.

“I’m excited for everyone to see what Kibu is all about and spread the word about Kibu and Abilis,” Langley said. “I’m equally excited to go see other innovative companies here in Connecticut that CI supports.”

The tour continued with a stop at the Milford brewery of Athletic Brewing Co., a nonalcoholic beer maker and one of the best-known companies in Connecticut Innovations’ portfolio. The group then attended a networking event at The Blake hotel in New Haven.

With those joining the ride, as well as those attending meetings or networking events, Connecticut Innovations officials expect to meet with approximately 200 people from the roughly 250 companies in the organization’s portfolio.

The Tour de Connecticut will continue over the next three days, with rides through New Haven, Hartford, Tolland, Windham, and New London counties. The Connecticut Innovations team will stay at The Blake and other hotels throughout the trip.

Along the way, the group will visit several landmarks, including the state Capitol and Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, the University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs, and Uncas Leap Heritage Park in Norwich. The tour will conclude on Thursday evening at the Mystic Delamar hotel in Stonington.

“It’s four days that are incredibly productive, but it’s also really fun,” McCooe said. “To be out on the road, riding along the beaches and through the cities, it gives you a totally different appreciation for what a gorgeous state we live in, which you don’t get when you’re driving on I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and I-91.”