Message from the vtTA

We enjoyed meeting many old friends and new faces (including job seekers from outside the state) and representing our members at the Tech Jam event last month. We discussed the vtTA, Vermont's tech sector, and of course shared our members' job opportunities.  
 
We also had the honor of announcing the winners of this year's Tech Jam Awards. Congratulations to Innovation Award winner Social Sentinel, Startup Award winner Burlington Code Academy, and Ambassador Award Winner Maureen McElaney. 
 
And we thank the many businesses and organizations who sponsored and participated with us in the full-page ad for the 2018 Tech Jam. The ad appeared in the Tech Jam program distributed at the event and in Seven Days. You can see the ad here .
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One way businesses can recruit and retain talented employees is by offering a comprehensive and competitive retirement plan. Unfortunately the cost and complexity of plans can be a significant hurdle for many growing businesses. That's why the Vermont Technology Alliance is exploring the possibility of creating a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) retirement benefit plan for current and future vtTA member businesses in partnership with UBS.  
 
A MEP can provide businesses with an attractive and cost-effective way to offer workplace retirement benefits for their employees with lower costs and reduce administrative responsibilities, especially for small businesses that are unable to offer a stand-alone 401(k) plan on their own. Find more information and let us know if interested in learning more here .
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Come celebrate the season and network with old friends and new faces at our Holiday Bio & Tech Beer social event, in partnership with the Vermont Biosciences Alliance, Dec. 5 at Queen City Brewery. Plan to join us in this fun and casual gathering at one of Burlington's finest breweries. Find more information and register here .  
 
Jeff Couture
Executive Director, Vermont Technology Alliance
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Upcoming Events

 
Reckless Ideas Lecture Series: More Data, More Problems  
(November 28, 2018 - Generator, Burlington)
 
Generator's Reckless Ideas speaker series features Julia Vallera, a data privacy advocate, and Randall Harp, associate professor of Philosophy at UVM, discussing "More Data More Problems: On Tracking, Consent, and Control of Personally Identifying Information."
 
Find more here.
 

Holiday Bio & Tech Beer Social Event
(December 5, 2018 - Queen City Brewery)
 
The Vermont Technology Alliance and the Vermont Biosciences Alliance invite you to a Holiday Bio & Tech Beer social event at Queen City Brewery. Get out of the office and come network and celebrate the season.
 
 
Find more here .
 

Brattleboro Area Tech Holiday Social Event
(December 6, 2018 - Duos Restaurant, Brattleboro)
 
The Brattleboro Area Tech group holds a holiday social hour December 6 at 6 p.m. at Duo's Restaurant in Brattleboro.
 
Find more here.
 

UVM Computer Science Fair
(December 7, 2018 - Davis Center, UVM)
   
The CS Fair is a UVM event that provides Computer Science students the opportunity to display a web, app, and other computer related projects to the public and have the chance to win up to $300 in cash.
 
Find more here .
 
 

Vermont Technology in the News
 
Vermont Rural Innovation Initiative Aims to Help Small Towns Get Funding for Remote Work Spaces  
(November 18, 2018 - VentureBeat) 
 
 
Small towns are still struggling to amass the high-paying, digital-first jobs needed to succeed in today's economy. Now a new program from a Vermont nonprofit aims to give them a boost. Called the Rural Innovation Initiative, the program seeks to assist rural areas interested in building local work spaces, as well as creating digital skills training programs to give residents the skills and the work space needed to take on remote jobs, or to start their own companies.  
 
The initiative is spearheaded by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), a Vermont nonprofit and its sister organization, Rural Innovation Strategies Inc. It's also being supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), an agency of the Commerce Department.
 
Read more here.  
 
 
Facebook seeks Feedback in Vt. as it Revamps News Feed  
(November 15, 2018 - WCAX-TV)
 
People in Burlington voiced their questions and concerns about Facebook at an event Nov. 12. Two company managers are touring the country, stopping in Vermont to get feedback on its news feed. Some of the Vermonters who came had other concerns like fake news and personal privacy.  
 
Read more here. 
 

Canadian Firm iSUN Energy Expands into Vermont  
(November 14, 2018 - Press Release)
 
iSun Energy LLC has announced the opening of its first U.S. office in Burlington. The Canadian solar technology developer selected Vermont for its proximity to the border, and for its innovative and environmentally-conscious public policy and support for startups. iSun Energy is an associated company of the Canadian firm Renewz Sustainable Solutions, and sells solar powered canopies for charging vehicles and other devices.
 
Read more here.  
 
Physician's Computer Company (PCC) Joins Carequality to Increase Robust Interoperability Connections  
(November 14, 2018 - Press Release)
 
Winooski based Physician's Computer Company (PCC), an independent software solutions firm serving the needs of independent pediatricians nationwide, announced its membership in and early implementation of Carequality
. Carequality is a public-private, multi-stakeholder collaborative that provides a framework for the seamless exchange of data between healthcare entities.  
 
Read more here.   

Inntopia Finds Bigger Home for Burlington Office in Technology Park
(November 14, 2018 - Press Release)
 
Inntopia recently moved its Burlington operations to a larger space in South Burlington's Technology Park. The move from the Chace Mill gives the company an efficient workspace in a environmentally friendly building, which in turn will increase operating efficiency, and allow room for growth. Inntopia presently employs 118 staff members across five offices. The new South Burlington office is home to about 30 Inntopia employees, including software engineers and developers, product owners, and scrum masters.
 
Read more here. 
 
 
Chroma celebrates $22 million Bellows Falls Expansion  
(November 9, 2018 - Press Release)
 
Senator Patrick Leahy, Governor Phil Scott and local officials recently joined Paul Millman, president of employee-owned Chroma Technology Corp, to celebrate the completion of a $22 million expansion that will add or retain 133 jobs in Bellows Falls. In 2016, Chroma - a local optical filter manufacturer that distributes its product all over the world - was approved by the state of Vermont for a 37,000 square foot expansion to its facilities, adding about 25 new jobs as well as allowing Chroma to retain its existing 113 jobs in the region.  
 
Read more here.  
 
 
15 UVM Alumni Who Have Left an Impact on Boston Tech  
(October 30, 2018 - Press Release)
 
Boston tech news site VentureFizz looks at the UVM alumni who are making an impact on the Boston tech scene, including Brian Halligan of HubSpot and Jodi Goldstein of Harvard i-lab.
 
Read more here.
 

Featured Member - Comcast Business  
 
 
 
Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services.  
 
Comcast Xfinity Gigabit Internet and Comcast Business Gigabit services are now available to nearly all of the company's 58 million homes and businesses in 39 states and the District of Columbia, including nearly 100% of Comcast Internet serviceable households in Vermont. This national deployment represents the fastest roll out of gigabit speeds to the most homes in the country. Comcast has increased speeds 17 times in 17 years and doubles the capacity of its broadband network every 18-24 months.
 
Find more at https://business.comcast.com/new
Vermont Technology Alliance Membership Update
 
The Vermont Technology Alliance works on behalf of its members and is able to carry out its mission through the support of its membership.
 
We're pleased to welcome new business members Internet Coalition, Leonine Public Affairs, DealerPolicy and new individual member Neil Boylan of UP there Everywhere.
 

Join the Vermont Technology Alliance
 
The Vermont Technology Alliance welcomes all businesses, organizations and individuals who make up and support Vermont's diverse, tech-based economy to join our non-profit business association.
Members benefit from vtTA's advocacy, programs, events, communications, and services - including job postings in our
Career Center - and networking and business opportunities.  

We are happy to tell you more our organization - contact us at info@vtta.org You also can find more information here, or sign up today to be a new member here.
 

Useful Information & Links

Exploring Multiple Employer Retirement Benefit Plan for vtTA Members
 
The Vermont Technology Alliance is exploring the possibility of creating a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) retirement benefit plan for member businesses in partnership with UBS.
 
A Multiple Employer Plan is a 401(k) retirement plan option for businesses that have a common interest, but are not commonly owned or affiliated.  A MEP provides business owners a cost-effective way to offer workplace retirement benefits for their employees.  MEPs offer flexible features and benefits of a traditional 401(K) Plan, with low cost, diversified investments and full fiduciary coverage for all members. 
 
Find more information and let us know if interested in learning more here.  
 
State of Vermont Announces Think Innovation Grant Program
 
The State of Vermont announced that it is accepting applications for a new ThinkVermont Innovation Grant Program. The program was created to respond to the growth needs of Vermont small businesses with 20 or fewer employees by funding innovative strategies that accelerate small business growth. Legislation passed last year supported by the vtTA appropriated $150,000 to the initiative. Areas eligible for funding are workforce training and recruitment; co-working, makerspace and other facilities; broadband access; leveraging of federal funding; support for aerospace, aviation or aviation technology; and technical assistance to growing Vermont businesses.    
 
Applications are due on December 7. Find more information here.


Applications Invited for Generator's Jump/Start Program
 
Are you a maker with an awesome product? Ready to turn it into a business? Then participation in Jump/Start may help get it off the ground. Jump/Start selects 6-8 makers with great product ideas for its 12-week, mentor-led, business boot camp. Jump/Start entrepreneurs are given free 24/7 access to the Generator makerspace, a $1,000 stipend, and free tool training classes to help them refine their product prototype aided by Generator's expert shop leads. Application deadline is Dec. 7.
 
Find out more here.  
 

vtTA Career Center
 
Vermont Technology Alliance member companies are hiring, and when you visit the Career Center on the Vermont Technology Alliance website you can browse and search for these job openings . The Career Center on average lists 150 tech and non-tech jobs. Jobs available from vtTA members are listed at no charge in the Career Center as a member benefit.
 
For more, click see the vtTA Career Center . 
 
The vtTA Thanks Its Annual Sponsors

Leadership Sponsors
   
 
Sustaining Sponsors:  
   
        
 
Partner sponsors: