Please plan to join us at a networking event in Rutland on Wednesday, June 20, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Green Mountain Power Energy Innovation Center.
Throughout the year, the Vermont Technology Alliance invites tech businesses and supporters for informal networking and discussion on Vermont's tech business sector. This session is an opportunity for participants to connect with and learn about the tech-focused businesses and organizations in and around the Rutland area, including representatives with GMP, Circle Technology Collective International, GE Aviation and The Mint makerspace. Sign up for the event
here
.
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The legislature is still debating the budget bill, but decisions have been made on other bills that the vtTA was watching. We had shared our concerns with the Governor's office about three consumer-focused bills that could have potential negative impacts (perhaps unintentionally) on Vermont tech businesses:
- A bill regulating the use of standard contracts - S.105
- A data broker Bill - H.764
- A bill regulating the renewal of annual contracts - H.593
The Governor vetoed S.105 and decided to let H.764 and H.593 pass, but without his signature. His messages about these decisions included highlighting some of the potential problems we raised. We had worked with the Attorney General and his staff to reduce the potential impact of the data broker bill on Vermont tech businesses, and we will continue to work with the office to help Vermont tech businesses understand if they are impacted by the legislation.
Another bill that passed is
S.94
, which offers financial incentives for employees outside the state to relocate to Vermont and work remotely. Perhaps more valuable than the potential employees this legislation may attract, is the national media attention the program has received, putting Vermont on the radar as a place to live and work. The vtTA believes there is a positive opportunity to promote Vermont as a work location for tech employees, including remote workers. The fact that 800 or more have already shown interest, illustrates that Vermont can be a draw for this workforce.
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The vtTA is a member-based organization. If you or your business are not yet a member, we welcome you to
sign up today
.
Jeff Couture
Executive Director, Vermont Technology Alliance
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Useful Links
We have sponsorship opportunities in our newsletter, for our Lunch & Learn and social events, on our website, and much more.
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Tech Networking Event in Rutland
(June 20, 2018 - Green Mountain Innovation Center)
 The vtTA is hosting an evening of tech networking and discussion in Rutland at the Green Mountain Power Energy Innovation Center. It's an opportunity to connect with and learn about the tech-focused businesses and organizations in and around the Rutland area.
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Vermont Tech Startup: Front Porch Forum
(June 21, 2018 - Bennington Museum)
The Lightning Jar co-working space in Bennington presents an evening with Michael Wood-Lewis, Co-Founder & CEO of Front Porch Forum.
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(July 10-11, 2018 - Convene, New York City)
 Use the Vermont Technology Alliance discount code to attend the New York Venture Summit, where you can meet and network with more than 500 venture capitalists, corporate VCs, angel investors, investment bankers and CEOs of early stage and emerging growth companies.
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Vermont Technology in the News
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Move to Vermont. Work From Home. Get $10,000. (Or at Least Something.)
(June 6, 2018 - New York Times)
 Daydreaming about moving somewhere less populated, maybe to where you can ski in your down time and tap trees for maple syrup? If so, Vermont is beckoning, and might even pay you for your trouble. Gov. Phil Scott signed into law a bill that will give a number of people who move to Vermont from another state up to $10,000 to help ease the transition. The money - part of a grant program designed to draw tech workers and revitalize the state's aging work force - is intended to help with costs like relocation, computer software and hardware, broadband access and membership in a shared professional space.
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Inquiries Flow in for Much-Publicized Remote Work Program
(June 7, 2018 - Vermont Digger)
If world class winter sports, fall foliage and top-rated craft breweries aren't enough to attract new residents to Vermont, would $10,000 help do the trick? Hundreds of people from around the world are interested enough in the new program to contact the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development to try to find out.
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New Burlington Development to House Vermont Innovation Commons
(June 13, 2018 - Vermont Business Magazine)
 Vermont Works and Cambrian Rise have announced that the Vermont Innovation Commons will be part of the new residential and commercial development on the site of the former Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Burlington. The Vermont Innovation Commons, a project by Vermont Works, is designed as a business accelerator - integrating educational, co-working, and co-living spaces.
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Tech Meetups Will Keep Meeting Up Thanks to Fresh Funding
(June 13, 2018 - Vermont Business Magazine)
Burlington Code's drive to make Burlington the tech center of Vermont and New England received renewed support from the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) to keep up the meetups. Volunteer-run Burlington Code brings together the tech community of software professionals and hobbyists through regular, free meetups to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and keep careers and companies competitive.
Read more
here.
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GlobalFoundries: Job Cuts Coming to Essex Plant
(June 13, 2018 - Burlington Free Press)
GlobalFoundries is cutting jobs at its Essex Junction semiconductor plant as part of a global reduction of about 5 percent of its total workforce of 18,000. The cuts will be focused in areas such as finance, communications and human resources. There are about 2,500 employees in Essex Junction; meaning about 125 workers would lose their jobs in a 5 percent cut.
Read more
here.
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Bluehouse Snags Seven Horizon Interactive Awards
(June 13, 2018 - Vermont Business Magazine/Press Release)
 Bluehouse Group was recently awarded seven prestigious Horizon Interactive Awards for its outstanding website design and development work. With over 1,200 agency submissions in 2017, Bluehouse was able to push its way to the top of the competition, scoring a spot on the Horizon Interactive Distinguished Agencies list.
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State Officials Vigilant as Net Neutrality Repeal Takes Effect
(June 12, 2018 - VTDigger)
 The repeal of the net neutrality rules went into effect, but Vermonters may not feel the full impact of the repeal because of a new state law passed this year. Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Scott last month requires internet service companies that the state contracts with to adhere to some net neutrality standards. It also directs the state to study the issue and make recommendations about whether lawmakers should adopt more stringent regulations.
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Physician's Computer Company Releases Portal Payment Functionality
(June 9, 2018 - Press Release)
Physician's Computer Company (PCC), the leading pediatric-focused vendor for independent pediatricians nationwide, has announced new patient portal payment functionality. The ability to make payments in a patient portal improves patient engagement by providing information such as health records and appointment schedules.
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UVM Spinoff's Small Packets Are a Big Deal for Energy Industry
(June 07, 2018 - Vermont Business Magazine/UVM)
 It's been a whirlwind few months for Packetized Energy, the energy sector start-up spun off from a Department of Energy project in 2016 by three UVM electrical engineering faculty. After completing a pilot with Burlington Electric Department at the end of 2017, the company launched ambitious demonstration projects in January with Green Mountain Power and the Vermont Electric Cooperative that put its innovative technology to the test under real market conditions.
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LEDdynamics New Home Will Double Jobs
(June 5, 2018 - Vermont Business Magazine)
LEDdynamics' celebrated the ground breaking for its new home. The new 27,600-square-foot facility will allow the rapidly growing Randolph-based manufacturer of Light Emitting Diode (LED) products to double its workforce to 100 employees. The company received nearly $1.5 million in state and federal assistance and the nearly $5 million project is financed with a Vermont Economic Development Authority loan, in addition to company equity.
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The vtTA Talks Tech on WDEV Radio
(May 28, 2018)
 Vermont Technology Alliance's executive director Jeff Couture, and board chairman Matt Dodds of Brandthropology, we're guests of William Sayre on his morning Common Sense Radio program last month, which airs on radio station WDEV. The focus of the discussion was promoting and establishing Vermont as a place that welcomes and supports tech-based businesses and jobs and covered related areas.
Listen to a recording of the interview
here
.
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Useful Information & Links
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Take the Tech Jam Programming Survey
The Vermont Tech Jam is October.19. What would you like to see at this year's event? Share your thoughts by
taking this survey
by Tuesday, June 19.
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Vermont Economic Development Department Seeks Feedback on International Trade
International Trade, including exports and imports supports 95,300 Vermont jobs. Vermont exported $1.3 billion to Canada last year with 76% of that trade within the Province of Quebec. The Vermont Economic Development Department is requesting businesses fill out a short survey to gather information to assist Vermont businesses export their goods and formulate trade mission goals
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Accel-VT Opens Application Process for Climate Economy Entrepreneur Program
Accel-VT has opened the 2018 application process for its fall climate economy entrepreneur program. Accel-VT is a business accelerator providing startup support, mentorship and access to capital for companies with a mission to grow the economy while protecting the environment. The 2018 program will serve up to 12 startup and seed-stage ventures focused on advancing 21st century sustainable agricultural and food technology systems.
To learn more about Accel-VT and the 2018 application process please visit www.accelvt.com.
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Road Pitch Slots Still Available
 The fifth annual FreshTracks Road Pitch will be held July 30 through August 2. Road Pitch is four-day motorcycle tour of Vermont where "business bikers" comprised of investors, entrepreneurs and business advisors stop in eight Vermont towns to listen to entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas.
This year, the tour will stop in Essex Junction, Hyde Park, Lowell, Bennington, Rutland, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury and Barre. The schedule tab on the
Road Pitch website
has a detailed listing of the dates and times for each event. There are still pitch slots available in some of the eight towns, and entrepreneurs interested in pitching should apply by contacting the local organizers listed in the "find out more" link next to each event listing in the schedule tab.
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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 features up to 150+ tech and non-tech jobs. Jobs available from vtTA members are listed at no charge in the Career Center as a member benefit.
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The vtTA Thanks Its Annual Sponsors
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© 2017 Vermont Technology Alliance | 70 South Winooski Ave., Box 270, Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 735-0840
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