Thursday, February 9, 2012

Leonardi named Connecticut Innovations CEO

By Michelle Lang

Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public tech investment and development agency, has named venture capital veteran Claire Leonardi as its new CEO and executive director.

The appointment follows a proposal by Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy to make the Connecticut Development Authority, another quasi-public agency, part of CI. The proposed merger still needs legislative approval.

As part of the transition, current CI president and executive director Peter Longo will continue with the organization with a focus on the daily operations, according to a statement by Catherine Smith, CI chairman and commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

Leonardi is an investment veteran, having served in senior roles at Crossroads Capital and Fairview Capital, as well as a business development and strategic investment position at Phoenix Home Life. In her new role with CI, which is effective March 1, Leonardi will aim to add jobs and attract new businesses to the state.

CI invests in Connecticut’s early stage tech companies, technology transfer and research collaborations among industries and universities. In January, it formed a $1 million TechStart Fund to support the launch of technology startups in the state.