The Vermont Technology Alliance Marks 20 Years Supporting Vermont’s Tech Sector
It was June 30, 2004 when 35 representatives of software businesses gathered at a Burlington hotel to discuss how to grow and support the region’s emerging software development business sector. The largest company represented was Dealer.com, which at that time had 35 employees.
The representatives attending the event, organized by the late Bruce Seifer, who was the assistant director of Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office, decided to create a new business association. From that meeting the Vermont Software Developers Alliance (vtSDA) was born, forming a business association to help these tech businesses connect, find employees, share resources, network, get noticed and more.
As the organization grew, it changed its name to the Vermont Technology Alliance (VTTA) in 2012 to better reflect its expanding membership and its mission to represent and support the state’s growing number of technology companies that are creating high-skilled, high-paying jobs.
Businesses have come in and out, but that initial membership of 35 has grown to about 200 businesses, individual “solopreneurs,” and students.
Through its work supporting, promoting, and helping grow tech focused businesses and tech jobs, the VTTA has presented more than 250 events, from Lunch & Learns to networking get-togethers to Tech Jam. It’s produced publications such as its Tapping Tech series and a Vermont Tech Jobs Report. Nearly 10,000 jobs have been posted in its Career Center. The VTTA has advocated on behalf of the tech sector, from raising concerns with a Cloud Tax to supporting efforts to attract a tech workforce to Vermont. And it has partnered and collaborated with others on efforts to build Vermont’s tech ecosystem.
And that ecosystem has grown. When the VTTA was formed 20 years ago, Vermont as a home for tech businesses and entrepreneurs seemed more like wishful thinking. But through its efforts and that of others, Vermont has become recognized as a place with a growing tech-based economy.
The VTTA looks forward to continuing to build on its 20-year foundation to make Vermont a place where a job seeker, entrepreneur, or business, can have the best of both worlds: a state with a growing tech ecosystem and a great quality of life.
Find more and become a member at https://vtta.org/
