Connstep

What Connstep does

CONNSTEP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Connecticut's authorized Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, established in 2001 to provide consulting, training, and digital services to small and mid-sized manufacturers in the state. The organization is part of the MEP National Network administered by NIST under the U.S. Department of Commerce, which supports its operations through federal and state program funding. Its service portfolio spans operational excellence (Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement), compliance and risk management (CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, AS9100), people and culture development (Supervisor Bootcamp, leadership training), strategic growth consulting, and sustainability advisory. The company operates two proprietary digital platforms — CONNEX Connecticut, a supply-chain networking marketplace, and the MFG Skills Hub, an online workforce-learning portal — alongside direct on-site consulting engagements.

The business model is built on subsidized professional services delivered through a trusted-advisor, sales-led go-to-market. Pricing is hybrid and project-based, with many services made affordable through federal/state subsidies rather than full-cost commercial rates. Customers are reached directly, through industry events, workshops, webinars, and via partnerships with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT, and FORGE. CONNSTEP reports having served 850+ Connecticut manufacturers across aerospace, medical devices, plastics, metals, lighting, chemicals, and defense-adjacent industries, with named engagements spanning Phoenix Manufacturing, Projects Inc., Specialty Cable Corporation, Forum Plastics, Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Penn Globe, Wepco Plastics, InCord, Prime Line, Metallurgical Processing, Ivy Biomedical Systems, and Pharmco by Greenfield Global.

Underlying technology is light on proprietary software and heavy on methodology and platform-mediated network effects. The CONNEX platform enables supplier/buyer matchmaking and demand-supply discovery; MFG Skills Hub offers on-demand micro-lessons and certification programs; and Excel-based Supply Chain Tools (ABC Analysis, Make vs. Buy, Supplier Scorecard, Supplier Segmentation) and a Digital Transformation Maturity Assessment (DTMA, 0–5 scoring rubric) round out the digital toolkit. Governance is provided by a board of Connecticut manufacturing leaders (including Pratt & Whitney representation), with day-to-day management led by President & CEO Beatriz Gutierrez and a CFO, Chief Executive Administrator, MEP Center Director, three business development advisors, and a team of functional consultants covering continuous improvement, cybersecurity, and quality management. CONNSTEP delivers measurable client impact at scale — $216.5M in cost savings, $965.6M in increased sales, $3.5B in retained sales, and 23,000+ jobs created or retained over 2000–2023 (per NIST MEP survey data) — though these figures describe client outcomes, not CONNSTEP's own revenue.

Name

Connstep

Legal name

CONNSTEP

Website

https://connstep.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CONNSTEP is Connecticut's federally designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, providing subsidized consulting, training, and digital platforms to 850+ small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state in operational excellence, compliance, workforce development, and supply-chain networking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing Consulting Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions) (BPAEANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Leadership & People Skills (Influence, Managing Up, Supervisory Readiness) (EDAAAKAI)

Keywords

• Manufacturing consulting
• Lean training
• Workforce development
• Cybersecurity compliance
• Supply chain optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Consulting Services: CONNSTEP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Connecticut's authorized MEP center, supported by federal and state programs. Many services are subsidized through state and federal programs to make them affordable for manufacturers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CONNSTEP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Connecticut's designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center that helps small to mid-sized manufacturers grow, improve productivity, and compete. Core deliverables include on-site consulting in operational excellence, compliance and risk management, people and culture, strategic growth, and sustainability, alongside structured training programs (Lean, Six Sigma, Supervisor Bootcamp, Quality Essentials, CMMC Bootcamp) and two digital platforms—CONNEX Connecticut (supply-chain networking) and MFG Skills Hub (workforce e-learning). Many services are subsidized through state and federal MEP funding.

Product overview

CONNSTEP is Connecticut's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center and a nonprofit consulting organization that provides a comprehensive suite of manufacturing support services. The portfolio centers on two digital platforms—CONNEX Connecticut for supply chain networking and the MFG Skills Hub for online workforce learning—alongside a broad range of consulting services and training programs. Core offerings include Lean training (Lean 101, Lean Practitioner, Continuous Improvement Champion Certification), leadership development (Supervisor Bootcamp), quality management (Quality Essentials Program), technology services (Digital Transformation Maturity Assessment, Model-Based Definition, Industry 4.0 guidance), and cybersecurity compliance support (CMMC 2.0, NIST SP 800-171). The company also delivers supply chain tools, sustainability programs, and strategic growth consulting, with many services subsidized through state and federal programs for small to mid-sized Connecticut manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CONNEX Connecticut An online platform that connects all U.S. manufacturers and suppliers with a searchable supply-chain solution, enabling companies to find buyers, find suppliers, and participate in purchasing events and matchmaking sessions.
• MFG Skills Hub An online learning portal offering on-demand micro-lessons and comprehensive curricula for the manufacturing workforce, with basic free access and premium certificate programs.
• Lean Training Programs A suite of Lean training programs including Lean Awareness Training, Lean 101, Lean Practitioner, and Continuous Improvement Champion Certification (CICC), designed to eliminate waste and boost productivity in manufacturing operations.
• Supervisor Bootcamp A seven-week practical program designed to develop effective frontline leaders through instruction on communication, delegation, conflict resolution, team leadership, and Lean awareness.
• Quality Essentials Program (QEP) A four-session foundational program in quality management covering process thinking, problem-solving, performance measurement, and Quality Management Systems for manufacturing personnel.
• CMMC Bootcamp A five-session workshop series preparing companies for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 compliance through guidance on NIST SP 800-171 practices and implementation strategies.
• Six Sigma Program A structured data-driven training program covering Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt certifications using DMAIC methodology for process improvement.
• Cybersecurity and Compliance Services End-to-end cybersecurity and compliance solutions including CMMC 2.0 readiness, NIST SP 800-171 gap analysis, DFARS compliance, and incident response plan development for manufacturers serving defense and federal supply chains.
• Digital Transformation Maturity Assessment (DTMA) A strategic evaluation process measuring an organization's digital capabilities across technology, processes, and culture to create a roadmap for Industry 4.0 adoption, providing a 0-5 maturity score.

Quantifiable outcome

• $216.5M in cost savings for Connecticut manufacturers (2000-2023)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Rep. John B. Larson and Senator Richard BlumenthalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 March 2026Congressman Larson secured $350,000 in federal funding for CONNSTEP at Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc. to strengthen Connecticut's hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Larson is a founding member and co-chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus.
• RAISE USstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026RAISE US is a new nonprofit organization partnering with states including Connecticut to help workers thrive in an AI world and support job growth in the new tech economy. The organization brings together states, employers, workers, and educators to build workforce infrastructure.
• Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and ReadyCTstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CONNSTEP partnered with CBIA and ReadyCT to release a report on Connecticut manufacturers' outlook on tariffs and hiring challenges, highlighting concerns about labor shortages, rising costs, and economic implications of federal trade policies.
• MEP National Network (NIST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONNSTEP is Connecticut's authorized Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center. The MEP is a program administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology. The program comprises nearly 1,400 trusted manufacturing advisors and experts at more than 450 MEP service locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
• Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONNSTEP is an affiliate of CBIA, collectively working to advance the growth and sustainability of Connecticut's business community.
• ReadyCTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONNSTEP works closely with CBIA's affiliate ReadyCT, advocating for more educational and training resources to encourage career opportunities for Connecticut's workforce.
• FORGEstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFORGE is a nonprofit partner that supports entrepreneurs and manufacturers by bridging the gap between innovative startups and the regional manufacturing supply chain. Based in Connecticut with collaborative support from CONNSTEP, FORGE helps innovators who are developing physical products move from prototype to commercialization more quickly and with less risk.
• Walden Environmental Engineering, PLLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party consultant selected by CONNSTEP to provide OSHA-compliant forklift equipment training at Penn Globe manufacturing facility.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC): California's authorized MEP center providing the same federally subsidized Lean, quality, cybersecurity, and growth consulting model to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Closest functional analog to CONNSTEP, differing only by geography and customer base scale.
• Manufacturer's Edge: Colorado's MEP center delivering operational excellence, workforce development, and technology adoption services to small and mid-sized manufacturers on a nonprofit, federally co-funded basis — same business model and target customer as CONNSTEP.
• Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP): Ohio's MEP center providing Lean, continuous improvement, cybersecurity, and growth consulting to mid-sized manufacturers via the same NIST-administered federal program that funds CONNSTEP. Same operating model, same revenue mechanics.
• New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP): New York's MEP center offering subsidized consulting and training to small and mid-sized manufacturers through the federal/state MEP program. Closely comparable scale, scope, and delivery model to CONNSTEP in an adjacent Northeast geography.
• Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity: Wisconsin's MEP-affiliated nonprofit providing Lean, quality, safety, and growth consulting to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Same MEP economic model and target customer profile as CONNSTEP.
• Missouri Enterprise: Missouri's MEP center delivering operational excellence, workforce, and supply chain consulting to manufacturers on a nonprofit, federally subsidized basis. Direct functional peer to CONNSTEP.
• Impact Washington: Washington state's MEP center providing Lean, quality, and growth advisory to small and mid-sized manufacturers through the same NIST MEP program. Same service architecture and customer profile as CONNSTEP.
• TechHelp: Idaho and Nevada's MEP center offering manufacturing consulting, training, and digital transformation services to small and mid-sized manufacturers on the same nonprofit, federally co-funded basis as CONNSTEP.

Others

• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers): Professional association serving manufacturing engineers with certifications, training, and publications. Adjacent to CONNSTEP's workforce development and Lean certification offerings but structured as a member association rather than a consulting provider.

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte (US Manufacturing practice): Global professional services firm with a large manufacturing consulting practice spanning operations transformation, supply chain, and cybersecurity. Broad incumbent competing for larger engagements in the same manufacturing consulting space, though at much higher price points than CONNSTEP's subsidized model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CONNSTEP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connstep
• Xx.com/CONNSTEP

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connstep