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

The Vermont Legislature closed this year's session by passing an economic development bill (S.138) with legislation that supports Vermont's technology business sector. The Vermont Technology Alliance advocated on behalf of Vermont's technology business sector in support of provisions in the bill to address some of the needs identified by the state's tech businesses.   

 

 Chief among them is the elimination of the tax on pre-written software, commonly referred to as the "cloud tax" - a major win for the tech community in a time when there was much focus on increasing taxes. Repeal of the cloud tax was a priority for many tech businesses because of confusion about what was taxable and the additional business costs it incurred. Just as important, elimination of the cloud tax communicates that Vermont welcomes and supports tech businesses.  

The bill also includes funding for an economic development marketing effort - also advocated for by the vtTA - that can help promote Vermont as a home for tech businesses and jobs, as well as other provisions such as a first-time homebuyer's credit, business financing enhancements and workforce education and training. You can read more about the economic development bill here.  

 
We thank the Vermont Legislature, particularly members of the House and Senate economic development committees, for their efforts and interest in supporting Vermont's tech economy.  

 

Please plan to join us for a Lunch & Learn session June 10 on "Perspectives on Creating Effective Workplaces." Adam Bouchard of Agilion Apps will discuss his virtual office approach to his business, while Stephen Frey of Arocrodis Design will address the importance of designing physical workspaces to support business success.

  
Jeff Couture
Executive Director, Vermont Technology Alliance
 

Upcoming Events
Become a Sponsor

Lunch & Learn: Perspectives on Creating Effective Workplaces

[June 10, 2015, noon to 2 p.m. - Community College of Vermont, Winooski]

 

What is the best workspace for a successful business - is it virtual, a well-designed office, something else? In this Lunch & Learn session we'll explore effective workplaces from two perspectives - the virtual office with Adam Bouchard of Agilion Apps and physical workspace design with Stephen Frey of Arocordis Design. Explore these different approaches and what might work for your business.

 

For more information and to register, click here.

 

National Day of Civic Hacking 

[June 6-7, 2015 - ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington]

 

Participants will assist in translating and visualizing environmental data for Burlington and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. The goal, made possible by a grant from Google, is to install a large 3D matrix of 52,000 individually programmable LEDs on the glass in front of the building. The installation will display lake data and help to engage the public.

 

For more information, click here.

 

UX Burlington: A User Experience Conference 

[June 12, 2015 - Main Street Landing, Burlington]  

UX Burlington is a single day, conference-style gathering, focused on what it takes to build a great user experience on the web, featuring a range of presenters.  

 

For more information, click here.

 

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


Click the link below to contact us.

 
 
 



Vermont Technology News

New STEM Facility Launches 'New Era' For UVM

[May 15, 2015 - Source: vpr.net]

 

Officials at the University of Vermont broke ground on a $104 million building project to overhaul the university's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) facilities. The University plans to increase the number of STEM graduates by 50 percent over five years. The complex also will include a center for women and minorities in STEM.  

 

For more information, click here.

 

Burlington Appoints First Chief Innovation Officer

[May 15, 2015 - Source: vermontbiz.com]

 

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the appointment of Beth Anderson as the city's first-ever Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to lead the newly-created Innovation & Technology Department.  As CIO, Anderson will be responsible for managing the city's information technology operations.

 

For more information, click here.

 

Startup Grind Brings 'Co-Thinking' Space to Burlington

[May 13, 2015 - Source: sevendaysvt.com]

 

A new project, called Startup Grind Burlington, is the latest chapter of a global startup community funded by Google for Entrepreneurs and designed to "educate, inspire and connect entrepreneurs" in collaborative, noncompetitive settings. Started in 2010 as a Silicon Valley tech meet-up, Startup Grind has since opened chapters in 150 cities in 65 countries.

For more information, click here. 

Why Do Young People Leave Vermont?

[May 12, 2015 - Source: burlingtonfreepress.com]


As Vermont struggles to keep people in the state or draw them here, researchers at the University of Vermont say a recent survey found some familiar culprits for the migration - jobs and higher wages - but none of those reasons alone are enough to explain the flow out of the state.

 

For more information, click here.  

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Survey Ranks Vermont Tops for Working Moms

[May 11, 2015 - Source: wallethub.com]

 

The online site WalletHub set out to find the best and worst states for working mothers and ranked Vermont in the top spot. WalletHub analyzed state dynamics across 12 key metrics to make its selection.

For more information, click here.

 

Jvillage Network Acquires ShulSuite CRM Product

[May 10, 2015 - Source: vermontbiz.com]

 

Burlington-based Jvillage Network has acquired the cloud-based ShulSuite membership management (CRM) tools. Jvillage Network is a leading provider of synagogue websites and online membership solutions for Jewish communities and serves more than 200 clients in five countries.  

 

For more information, click here.

 

Three Companies Share $875,000 in Broadband Grants

[May 7, 2015 - Source: vtdigger.org]

 

The state has awarded grants to three companies to run high-speed Internet cables to 175 hard-to-reach addresses in eight rural towns. ECFiber, FairPoint Communications, and Comcast will split about $875,000 in universal service fund money to serve Norwich, Pittsfield, Randolph, Royalton, Jamaica, Rochester, Reading and Bradford.

For more information, click here.

 

Renoun Ski Firm Wins LaunchVT

[May 7, 2015 - Source: burlingtonfreepress.com]

 

Renoun ski founder Cyrus Schenck was named the winner of this year's LaunchVT competition for Vermont startups. Schenck's skis use a material that allows them to instantly change their characteristics to suit conditions. Chris Patton of PunchPass, a web software product used by fitness studios and independent instructors, won the second-place prize.

 

For more information, click here.

 

Professor Creates Mobile App to Fight Human Trafficking

[May 1, 2015 - Source: sevendaysvt.com]

 

How did a self-described "computer geek" at Champlain College get involved in trying to combat the global scourge of human trafficking by developing a mobile app? As he puts it, he just couldn't ignore the problem of slavery in his own backyard anymore.  

 

For more information, click here.  

 

Champlain College Game Studio Courts Recruiters 

[April 29, 2015 - Source: sevendaysvt.com]

 

An event showcasing the work of the 60 graduating seniors from Champlain College's Game Studio wasn't just to show off their senior projects to friends and family. The games, which were the culmination of yearlong collaborative teamwork across four disciplines, were also meant to wow industry talent scouts.

 

For more information, click here.

 

Leahy Introduces Patent Troll Legislation 

[April 29, 2015 - Source: press release]


Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy joined with a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation to protect Vermont businesses and innovators who too often become the victims of so-called "patent trolls." The introduction comes after 18 months of negotiations led by Leahy and other Senate members to craft a comprehensive bill that deters abusive conduct while preserving the strength of America's patent system.

 

For more information, click here.


Featured Member
 

With more than 25 years of experience in tax preparation and entrepreneurial advisory services, Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs focuses on proactive planning, budgeting and strategizing through year-round tax and financial consulting.

 

The firm knows Vermont's technology sector and understands the challenges faced by those in the industry, offering innovative services developed specifically to help emerging as well as established technology clients compete in the global market.  From R&D tax credit analysis, to revenue recognition and federal and multi-state tax compliance - Davis & Hodgdon gives clients the tools to stay focused on innovation and keeping up with the rapidly changing needs of their own clients.

 

As one of the first accounting firms to become paperless, Davis & Hodgdon has remained committed to this efficient, secure approach for nearly fifteen years. The firm's innovative spirit and enthusiasm for using the most current, cutting-edge technologies including web-based accounting software, makes their client's lives easier.  Client's sensitive information is stored securely in the cloud, easy for them to access their information from anywhere at any time.

 

For more information, visit www.dh-cpa.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. New members joining the vtTA in the past month include Gravel & Shea PC, FreshGreens, Chroma Technology Corp. and Data Systems, Inc.

If your business is not a member, please consider joining. 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 Career Center

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

 

Current available positions listed include:

  • IT Systems Support - Technical Connection, Inc.    
  • Coordinator of Academic Services, Technology - Community College of Vermont
  • Junior Systems Administrator - Logic Supply
  • Computer Production Technician - Logic Supply     
  • Security Engineer - NuHarbor Security        
  • Software Developers - Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI)
  • Model & Simulation Engineer - NUARI
  • Mobile Application Developers - NUARI
  • Technical Service Center Manager - Draker, Inc.
  • Account Executive - OEM/ISV - Logic Supply

For more, click here.

 

2015 Road Pitch Schedule  

 

Road Pitch, a four day motorcycle tour of Vermont in which a gang of "business bikers" (comprised of investors, entrepreneurs and business advisors) ride around the state and stop in various towns to listen to entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts, has announced its 2015 schedule. Road Pitch was founded in 2014 by Cairn Cross, co-founder of FreshTracks Capital.  

 

For 2015, Road Pitch will stop in eight towns during the first week in August.  

To view the schedule, click here.

 

Free Cyber Security Workshops Offered

 

The Vermont Small Business Development Center is offering two 90-minute workshops for small businesses on simple ways for business owners to protect their business and customer information. One session is June 4, 10-11:30 a.m. at the VTC campus in Williston and the same session will be offered June 11, 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Howard Dean Education Center in Springfield.

 

For more information, click here.  

 

Library Seeks Volunteers for Science and Tech Programs

 

The Maclure Library in Pittsford, VT is looking for volunteers to assist with science-based programs this summer for school-aged children in third through ninth grade. Programming is typically between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., but they are open to working with volunteers' schedules and interests. They seek help with the following programs: Tinkering workshop, Robots, Stop Motion Video, Simple Coding and Magnets.

 

To inquire and offer help, contact Bonnie Stewart at [email protected] , or 802-483-2972.

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