Thank you to those vtTA members who participated in our membership survey. It will provide us with helpful insight into what’s valued and important to our members and help guide future actions. We’ll plan on sharing some of the feedback.
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The Vermont Legislature recessed on June 26 and will return on August 25 to decide a budget for the remainder of FY21. The lawmakers will wrestle with a projected state revenue shortfall of more than $300 million as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be watching for actions that may impact the tech sector, such as applying the sales tax to software-as-a-service transactions.
Before adjourning, two bills were passed and approved by the governor designed to provide financial aid to businesses impacted by the pandemic. The first, S.350, directs $70 million to those businesses that have seen a 75% or greater loss in revenue, while a second measure H.966, provides a range of COVID relief funding, including $82 million for grants to businesses that have suffered a 50 percent or greater revenue loss. The bill also includes more than $18 million for broadband expansion. The amount that could be put towards broadband was limited by the federal government’s requirement that all allocated Coronavirus funds be spend by the end of the year.
In concert with the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies, we reached out to the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee and other legislators to express support for allocating COVID Relief Funding for the Entrepreneurs' Seed Capital Fund, also known as Vermont Seed Capital Fund, which was included in the Governor’s Phase 2 economic relief and recovery proposal. The fund, managed by VCET and VEDA, assists startup employers in Vermont from a range of sectors including tech-focused applications in retail, education, healthcare, agriculture, and energy.
Funding twas not included in the final package approved by the Legislature, but there may be an opportunity when the legislature reconvenes and decides on how to spend the remaining relief funds.
You can see a summary of how the COVID-19 funds are allocated in Bill H.966
here
.
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Vermont businesses could begin applying for an
Economic Recovery Grant
earlier this month, which provides funding for businesses that can demonstrate revenue loss of 50% or greater in any month from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, when compared with the same month in 2019. And sole proprietors could begin applying July 20 for a $1.5 million economic relief grant program, which will provide grants of $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors. Find details in the
grant program portal
.
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The vtTA has been presenting webinars on a range of business and tech topics, including in-bound marketing, accelerating business results, and SEO optimization. Do you have a topic you’d be interested in presenting? If so, submit your suggestion for consideration via our
Google form
.
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If your business or organization would like to know more about the Vermont Technology Alliance and how we can be helpful, we’d be happy to connect with you. Reach out to us at
admin@vtta.org.
Jeff Couture
Executive Director
Vermont Technology Alliance
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Venture Summit Virtual Connect | Global
(August 4-6, 2020)
Meet, interact and network online with more than 1,300 venture capitalists, corporate VCs, angel investors, industry execs, and founders of venture-backed, emerging and early-stage companies at the Venture Summit Virtual Connect | Global. Take advantage of vtTA discount code.
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Vermont Community Recovery Visits
(July-October, 2020)
The Local Support and Community Action Team of the Governor’s Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force is hosting virtual Community Recovery Visits in counties throughout Vermont in the summer and fall of 2020.
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Gartner Free Webinars
(July-October, 2020)
Research and advisory company Gartner is offering a series of complimentary webinars on a range of tech and business topics through August 20.
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QGenda is the #1 cloud-based, automated physician scheduling software. Since its launch in 2006, QGenda has grown to serve more than 3,000 customers in more than 30 medical specialties. Leading physician groups, academic medical centers, hospitals, and health systems use QGenda to optimize their workforce and provide the best possible patient care. Its market leading scheduling solution, along with deep specialty experience and unique customer success model, are why small practices to the largest health systems select QGenda to help them optimize provider performance.
QGenda hires the best and brightest talent and continually invests in their development. It strives to create an employee-centric work culture by providing benefits such as unlimited paid time off, casual dress, company outings, remote/flexible work opportunities, and many more. QGenda’s staff is committed to making a positive impact on the local community by donating time, money and effort through QGenda Cares.
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Utilities, Internet Providers Team Up To Potentially Bid For Federal Broadband Aid
(July 20, 2020 – Vermont Public Radio)
Vermont electric utilities have teamed up with community-based internet providers and national partners to potentially win federal money to build out broadband internet.
This fall the federal government will make billions of dollars available to help pay for broadband in rural areas. In Vermont, an unusual coalition has formed to bid on the money and do the work.
The players include Green Mountain Power, electric co-ops, and “communications union districts” – municipal organizations that towns formed to build out infrastructure together.
A program established by the Federal Communications Commission called the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund has created the financial incentive for this new broadband effort.
The FCC has $16 billion available for the first round of a reverse auction to determine who gets the money. The process involves potential carriers making lower and lower bids for the amount of federal subsidy they calculate they’ll need to provide high speed service and basic telephone service.
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University of Vermont Announces New Office of Engagement
(July 17, 2020 – UVM)
The University of Vermont will enhance partnership and support efforts throughout the state with the creation of a new Office of Engagement. The office will act as a “front door” to the University for private, public and non-profit entities and communities looking to access UVM’s many strengths and capabilities.
UVM received $2 million in funding from the Vermont Legislature to increase its effectiveness in partnering with the state in the areas of workforce development, retention, and growth. Among the areas where the funds will be targeted are assisting small employers with SBIR, STTR, and other federal grant programs, attracting out-of-state alumni back to Vermont, skills training to address gaps, and connecting interns with Vermont businesses.
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Reading Plus Wins Award of Excellence From Tech & Learning Magazine
(July 16, 2020 – Reading Plus)
Reading Plus, a leading adaptive literacy solution for grades 3-12 based in Winooski, VT, announced it won a Tech & Learning Award of Excellence from
Tech & Learning
magazine
. The awards program salutes products that improve the way educators work and students learn. Recognized in the software category, Reading Plus improves comprehension, vocabulary, motivation and efficiency, and personalizes learning to support the needs of each student.
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Honda, Ford Select Dealer.com for Digital Promotions
(July 4, 2020 – Vermont Business Magazine)
Dealer.com has announced two major deals for its website products. It has been selected as a premier partner in the FordDirect Advantage Digital Advertising Program and as a choice Honda website and digital advertising provider through the Honda Digital Customer Experience.
Through Dealer.com's Digital Advertising program, Ford and Lincoln dealers will now enjoy the flexibility and business intelligence needed to reach consumers at all stages of their journey, displaying the right ad to the right shopper and on the right channel at the right time. Through Dealer.com's Website Choice program, Honda dealers receive customized, strategic and secure management of a dealer's advertising strategy and investment to connect with in-market.
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Burlington Code Academy Announces $50,000 Impact Scholarship
(July 6, 2020 – Burlington Code Academy)
The Burlington Code Academy, a vtTA member, announced that it is committing $50,000 to its Impact Scholarship, which is designed to offer discounted tuition to students underrepresented in the tech sector. The Impact Scholarship provides discounted tuition to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), LGBTQ+ individuals and womxn in support of a more diverse and inclusive industry. The Impact Scholarship will be awarded to qualifying individuals who have a passion for learning in either Software Development or the UX Design field.
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TechVault Offering Direct Connectivity to Leading Public Cloud Providers via Megaport
(July 1, 2020 – Tech Vault)
Tech Vault, the premier “green” data center in the Northeast based in South Burlington and a vtTA member, announced that it is now offering direct connectivity to leading public cloud providers via Megaport, a global leading Network as a Service provider. Tech Vault’s new service, branded Tech Vault Direct Connect, is a Megaport Connected Service that enables Tech Vault customers to easily access leading public cloud providers in a direct and on-demand fashion. Tech Vault's collaboration with Megaport allows organizations to simplify their connectivity to the cloud to consume the services they need on a pay-as-you-go basis.
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Electric Aircraft from Burlington Startup Begins Flight Tests in Plattsburgh
(July 1, 2020 – Vermont Public Radio)
Earlier this month, many onlookers in the Burlington area saw something unusual in the sky: a large transport helicopter flying overhead with a smaller craft dangling below it like a marionette. It turns out the smaller aircraft was an experimental prototype being transported from Burlington International Airport, across Lake Champlain to Plattsburgh.
The aircraft is code named "Alia" and it's electrically powered. It's a vertical takeoff and landing airplane, meaning it takes off and lands like a helicopter, but flies forward like an airplane. And it's being developed by Beta Technologies, a startup company based in Burlington.
Mitch Wertlieb of VPR spoke to the founder of Beta Technologies,
Kyle Clark
.
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Made in Vermont: OVR Technology
(June 29, 2020 – WCAX-TV)
Software, hardware and scentware -- they're three components in a Made in Vermont invention being sold to industries across the country for a new technology that could shape the virtual world.
About three years ago, while working on his fragrance company at Generator Makerspace in Burlington, Aaron Wisniewski teamed up with experts in the industrial and applied science fields to create OVR Technology -- virtual reality with an added scent. "We did know what we wanted from an experience standpoint, and really that was the driving force behind the project," said OVR's Matt Flego.
The company recently released its Architecture of Scent platform. The cartridge straps on to a virtual reality headset. When triggered, very tightly controlled droplets of water-based scent are released. OVR Technology's focus is on making a difference in education, training and health care.
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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.
Also renewing are
Burlington Code Academy
,
Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman Realty
,
Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand PLLC
,
Faraday
,
J Scott Marketing and PR
,
OnLogic, O
pen Approach
,
Tech Vault
,
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)
,
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)
; and individual members Gerri Huck, and Kurt Steinert.
Not a vtTA member yet? Then why not join now. Find more information
here
, or sign up at our new member registration page
here
. You can also contact us at admin@vtta.org.
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Useful Information & Links
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Economic Recovery Grants Update
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Vermont Department of Taxes have processed $45 million in economic relief grants to Vermont businesses. Applications are continuing to be processed, and there is still money available.
Funds are available to Vermont businesses that can demonstrate a revenue decline of at least 50% in any one-month period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, when compared with the same month in 2019. The Economic Recovery Grants
landing page
has full details, including eligibility requirements, document preparation instructions, and a
series of FAQs
to assist businesses in completing the application.
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Sole Proprietor Grant Program Accepting Applications
The Sole Proprietor Stabilization Grant Program is now accepting applications for grants of $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000 to qualifying sole proprietors through a lottery draw. The program is funded through $1.5 million from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG Program, and passed through ACCD. The application window will be open until July 31, 2020 and grants will be awarded through a lottery system on August 14, 2020.
Full details can be found on the
program portal
, including the program breakdown, eligibility requirements, application materials and timelines, as well as technical assistance and FAQs.
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Notice of Funds Available for Businesses and Organizations to Provide Small Business Technical Assistance
Areas include:
- Business operations, financial management, and grant writing
- Digital strategies
- Architecture and physical space design
- Reconfiguring manufacturing equipment and processes and incorporating safety measures
- Technology and software consulting
- Legal and other professional services.
Questions are due Friday, July 24 by 1p.m.. The deadline for proposals is August 3 at 1 p.m.
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Code for BTV Information Resources Survey
Code for BTV, a not-for-profit organization that facilitates sustainable collaborations on civic software and open data projects in Vermont, has created a short survey on the availability of information resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to understand what information people have needed and been able to get access to, or not get access to, what can be done to improve access to essential information.
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UVM Survey on Temporary Residents
The Vermont Futures Project has partnered with the UVM Center for Research on a statewide survey of people taking refuge in Vermont during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to learn what these temporary residents would need to make Vermont their permanent residence. The results will be shared with community and business leaders, policy makers, and others to help inform our next steps.
Find and share the survey
here
.
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AG Issues Guidance on Changes to Data Breach Notification Law
Attorney General T.J. Donovan has released updated guidance to assist businesses in complying with changes to Vermont’s Security Breach Notice Act. As of July 1, 2020, more types of information—including health and genetic information, login credentials, and additional government IDs like passport numbers—are considered “Personally Identifiable Information” that requires notice to consumers if stolen or otherwise subject to a breach.
A copy of the guidance can be found
here
.
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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 and subscribe to updates. The Career Center has tech and non-tech jobs
with Vermont Technology Alliance member businesses and organizations. 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 Member/Sponsors
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