Michael Harris

An award-winning economic development professional, Michael is responsible for CTNext’s ecosystem development strategy across key sectors and focused impact areas. He manages the Innovation Places Program and develops CTNext programs that provide capital to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem resources.

Prior to joining CTNext, Michael served as Executive Director of the New Haven Innovation Collaborative, a program of EDC New Haven that leveraged Innovation Places funding to support and foster interconnected resources for the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this role, he led programs focused on building an equitable innovation ecosystem through specialized facilities for startups, equity-focused entrepreneur support programs, and inclusive tech-focused workforce development. Over five years, these initiatives coordinated nearly $20 million to launch or accelerate 26 ecosystem resource programs and 14 public space projects and has contributed to New Haven’s status as the third fastest growing U.S. city for venture capital investment.

Before the Innovation Collaborative, Michael coordinated local, state, and federal legislative initiatives for the Mayor’s Office of the City of New Haven, including public campaigns for improvements at Tweed New Haven Airport and an urbanist redevelopment plan for Union Station. Of note, Michael participated in creating a neighborhood-level participatory budgeting public improvement program, supporting the deployment of New Haven’s body cameras, launching the YouthStat program, protecting children’s credit from the long-term impact of evictions, and creating policy alternatives for housing homeless youth.

In July 2022, Michael was selected as the recipient of the Young Economic Development Professional of the Year award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Michael has also been recognized as one of Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2021 and is an IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP). Michael resides in New Haven and currently serves as the President of Connecticut’s largest cooperative housing corporation.