Vermont Technology Alliance
Message from the Board
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Dear vtTA Members & Supporters,

We had the opportunity recently to meet with Vermont legislators in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Senate Economic Development Committee to talk about the vtTA and Vermont's Tech business sector. We received a favorable reception to our core message that Vermont's tech sector is an economic growth opportunity for Vermont and should be supported and promoted.  

 

Some of the key recommendations we discussed included expanding Vermont's brand and marketing to feature the tech business sector to attract employees to fill job openings; continued investment in robust broadband throughout Vermont; expanding opportunities for technology business financing and investment; education and workforce development for tech employment, revising the rules for hiring contract employees; and discontinuing the cloud tax.  

 

One of the successes from last year's Legislative session was the creation of the Entrepreneurial Loan Fund, which since its inception has provided loans to tech businesses that will result in additional jobs, including Piematrix, Route 802, and just recently, Inntopia.

 

Please let Jeff Couture know of any issues or topics important to your business.

We hope you will join us at our Lunch & Learn session Feb.18 when Paul Budnitz discusses Ello, his much talked about new social media business.

 
Jeff Couture
Executive Director, Vermont Technology Alliance
 

Upcoming Events
Become a Sponsor

Lunch & Learn: Say Hello to Ello's CEO: Paul Budnitz Discusses His Social Media Startup 

[February 18, 2015, noon to 2 p.m. - Community College of Vermont, Winooski]

 

Ello has caught the world's attention as a new alternative to FaceBook and other social media services. Burlington entrepreneur and Ello CEO Paul Budnitz will discuss the creation of Ello, where it's going and his perspective on launching and growing his buzz-worthy social network in Vermont.

For more information, click here. 

Summit: Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change

[February 18, 2015, Vermont Technical College, Randolph, VT]  

 

The Vermont Council on Rural Development is hosting a summit on "Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change" on February 18 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. The conference will bring together over 400 participants to explore how to confront the impacts of climate change in Vermont through economic development that can build Vermont's national reputation, create jobs, and attract youth and entrepreneurship to the state.  

 

For more information and to register, click here.

 

MyWebGrocer Recruitment Mixer: Chill at the Mill

[February 18, 2015, Champlain Mill, Winooski, VT]

 

MyWebGrocer is holding a recruitment mixer at their offices on the 5th floor of the Champlain Mill in Winooski, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is an opportunity for technical professionals to meet with MWG Development Managers and Executives and find out about working for the growing software company.  

 

Pre-register for the event here. 

 

Webinar: Taking Your Business Global. Art or Science?

[February 19, 2015]  

 

Global-Z is presenting a webinar on, Taking Your Business Global. Art or Science?, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program explores the advantages to going global, with Global-Z sharing its experience and expertise.  

 

For more information, click here.

 

Peak Pitch Vermont

[March 12, 2015, Sugarbush Resort, Warren, VT]

 

Fresh Tracks is hosting the 10th Peak Pitch Vermont, a skiing, networking and fundraising event held at Sugarbush Mountain, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrepreneurs are paired on a chairlift with an investor or advisor, and provided the chance to deliver their elevator pitch on the way up the mountain.   

 

Click here to register.

 

Lunch & Learn: Burlington Generator Discusses the Role of Makerspaces in Community Development

[March 18, 2015, noon to 2 p.m. - Generator, Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, VT]

 

Join the Vermont Technology Alliance and VMEC for a Lunch and Learn session from noon to 2 p.m. at Burlington Generator. Generator staff and members will discuss the evolving role of makerspaces in community development, the ways that Generator is approaching this work in its first year, and what lies ahead.

 

For more information and to register, click here.

We have sponsorship opportunities in our newsletter, for our Lunch & Learn events, on our website, and much more.  


Click the link below to contact us.

 

 

 



Vermont Technology News

Nearly $4.5 Million in Financing Approved by VEDA

[Feb. 9, 2015 - Source: press release]

 

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved nearly $4.5 million in business financing for entrepreneurial, energy, agricultural and small business projects totaling $8.6 million. The announcement included funding for vtTA member Inntopia through the new Entrepreneurial Loan Program.

 

For more information, click here.

 

Burlington Maker Space is a Hub for Creation and Community

[Feb.9, 2015 - Source: vpr.net]

 

The Generator maker space in Burlington is approaching its first year of operation. Located in a 5,000-square-foot space in the city-owned Memorial Auditorium, Generator has 76 members and is home to several eclectic small businesses.

 

For more information, click here.

 

[Feb.8, 2015 - Source: vtdigger.org]

 

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler recently announced that the FCC was backing so-called "net neutrality" by recommending that Internet service providers be regulated as a public utility, somewhat like the legacy telephone companies. In reaction to the FCC decision, Congressman Peter Welch, D-Vt., gathered a panel of technology leaders in Montpelier to discuss the importance of fair and equal access to the Internet.

 

For more information, click here.

 

OpenTempo expands headquarters to accommodate growing staff

[Feb. 8, 2015 - Source: vermontbiz.com]


OpenTempo is expanding its offices to accommodate its rapidly increasing staff. Between December and January, six new employees were brought on, all based in Vermont.

 

For more information, click here.

 

UVM Approves $78M Bond for STEM Complex

[Feb.8, 2015 - Source: vtdigger.org]

 

University of Vermont trustees unanimously approved a $78 million bond resolution to build a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) academic center and laboratory. The project known as the STEM Complex is central to the university's commitment to deepening its academic programming for the physical sciences and engineering.  

 
For more information, click here.

 

Data Innovations Acquired by Roper Industries

[Feb. 6, 2015 - Source: vermontbiz.com]

 

Data Innovations, a provider of software for medical laboratories based in Burlington, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Roper Industries, the parent company of Sunquest Information Systems Inc, a maker of laboratory information systems. Data Innovations will remain headquartered in Burlington. Data Innovations provides middleware to help manage operations in clinical and blood laboratories.

 

For more information, click here.  

 

Governor Banks on Manufacturing, Workforce Development

[Feb. 2, 2015 - Source: vermontbiz.com]

 

The state is counting on improving Vermont's manufacturing industry by increasing workforce development and enhancing tax incentives, which includes linking them to the livable wage rather than the minimum wage. Matching jobs to skills available in the workforce has been an ongoing problem in Vermont for many years.  

 

For more information, click here.

 

GPM Global and PieMatrix Form Alliance

[Jan.29, 2015 - Source: press release]

 

GPM Global announced the formation of a strategic alliance that will integrate their PRiSM sustainability methods with the PieMatrix's Pie online project management platform. Where the project management of yesterday focuses only on inputs and outputs, sustainable project management takes into account the project's overall impact on society, the environment and the economy from an asset lifecycle perspective.

 

For more information, click here.

 

GlobalFoundries Pegged for $2.5M State Incentive

[Jan. 29, 2015 - Source: vtdigger.org]

 

Gov. Peter Shumlin intends to give $2.5 million in state incentives to GlobalFoundries Inc., the company that plans to take over IBM's computer chip operations in Essex Junction, according to a member of his administration. The money is the amount left in the Vermont Enterprise Fund, a budget appropriation that Shumlin pushed to include last year.

 

For more information, click here. 

 

How Tech Ed Has Transformed With The times

[Jan.28, 2015 - Source: WCAX.com]

 

There are 16 regional career and technical education centers in Vermont, offering high school juniors and seniors, and even some adults, the chance to enroll in a number of programs ranging from childhood education and human services to computer animation and graphic design. WCAX looks at the state's largest - The Center for Technology Essex.

 

For more information, click here.

 

(ISC)2, Norwich University Agreement Aims to Bridge Cybersecurity Workforce Gap

[Jan.25, 2015 - Source: press release]

 

Norwich University announced an agreement with (ISC)� , an organization of certified information and software security professionals, to become a new member of the organization's Global Academic Program . (ISC)2 will provide Norwich students and professionals with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and industry certification they need to enter the high-demand, high-paying cybersecurity workforce.

 

For more information, click here. 




Featured Member
 

 Renewable NRG Systems (formerly NRG Systems) is an independently owned company that designs and manufactures decision support tools for the renewable energy industry. For more than 30 years, it has remained dedicated to providing world-class measurement technology. The company serves electric utilities, turbine manufacturers, renewable energy developers, research institutes, and government agencies in more than 150 countries around the world.

Six core values form the foundation of our company - A commitment to environmental stewardship, fair employment, profitability, integrity, innovation, and dedication - which are expressed through its products, lean manufacturing processes, and innovative human resources practices.

Operating out of two LEED Gold manufacturing facilities, Renewable NRG Systems has been recognized as a model employer on a statewide and national level by Winning Workplaces, the Wall Street Journal, the Vermont Governor's Office, Best Places to Work, and other organizations. Beyond its doors, it works to further the development of renewable energy through education and community initiatives.

 

For more information, visit: www.renewablenrgsystems.com

 

Would you like to see your company highlighted? Know of a company the vtTA should be talking about? Send us an email at [email protected]    

 



New Member Update

The Vermont Technology Alliance continues to welcome new members, and begins the year with 200 members, representing tech fields ranging from software development, web development and design, IT services, telecommunications, biosciences, manufacturing, and businesses that support and provide services to the tech business sector

 

If you're not a member, please consider joining us. Members support vtTA programs and our outreach and advocacy work, and receive discounts on our sponsored events, access to our Career Center and networking and business opportunities. Sign up to be a new member here.



Useful Information & Links

vtTA's s Resources Page

A new Resources page is now posted on the Vermont Technology Alliance website.

The page includes listings for companies and individuals such as financing contacts, internships and government links. We also have included meetups, shared tech spaces and educational resources. In addition, there are services that our members provide such as legal advice, recruiting, accounting, information security and more.  

 

Check out the Resources page here.

 

vtTA's Career Center

Be sure to visit the Career Center tab on the Vermont Technology Alliance website. Member companies can post open positions for free, while job seekers can search positions and sign up for new posting notifications.

Current available positions listed include: 

  • Software Developer - Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) 
  • Model & Simulation Engineer - Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI)
  • Quality Inspector - Eastman Benz

Find the Career Center here. 

 

ExporTech - Spring 2015

The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center is offering ExporTech, a structured export strategy development process that assists 6-8 companies per session to accelerate their growth. This program features three sessions that offers:

  • A structured export strategy development process 
  • The opportunity to participate in the only national program that provides assistance in in developing an export plan 
  • Connections with experts who can assist you in navigating the process
  • Saved time in payment processes, property protection, finding the right people to do the work 
  • The opportunity to generate thousands of dollars in new export sales.

Three (3) day-long sessions must be attended by each participant as well as involvement in two (2) individual coaching sessions and the final plan implementation and go-to-market project. 

The first session begins April 29. Space is limited, so register early. Contact Dick Morse, VMEC Director of Business Development at (802) 685-3131 or [email protected] for information.

 

For more information, click here.  

 

UVM Center for Leadership and Development "Fresh Ideas" Seminars

Fresh Ideas is a complimentary breakfast and presentation series sponsored by the UVM Center for Leadership and Development designed for rising leaders, supervisors, and managers at all levels.These complimentary networking and training forums will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington.

  • Strategic Social Media: Generating Measurable Results - March 5. Register here.
  • Problem Solving with Six Thinking Hats - March 6.  Register here.
  •  Leveraging the Vermont Brand - April 2. Register here.

For more information, click here.
Know of any resources that would be helpful to vtTA members? Send us an email at [email protected] 

  

� 2014 Vermont Technology Alliance  |   70 South Winooski Ave., Box 270, Burlington, VT 05401  |  (802) 735-0840