Partners

Senator Patrick Leahy has supported VCET since its founding in 2005. His longstanding commitment to helping Vermont entrepreneurship is evidenced by both the fiscal support he has provided over the years as well as his personal efforts and interest in assisting VCET companies.

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development encompasses three major state departments and many programs that serve the Vermont public by enhancing the Vermont business climate, marketing Vermont to tourists and others, and strengthening Vermont communities in a wide variety of ways. The Agency is comprised of the Departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Marketing, and Housing and Community Affairs.

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is Vermont’s economic development finance lender. VEDA has provided over $1.5B to Vermont entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and small businesses to realize their business goals and create jobs.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) helps businesses start, build, and grow businesses. They offer financial assistance, counseling, contract opportunities, disaster assistance and knowledge of laws/regulations.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers among the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. It is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs, and has been used by VCET in support of its mission.

As the steward of UVM's intellectual property, the Office of Technology Commercialization evaluates, protects, markets, and licenses patentable innovations by its faculty and researchers. The UVMVentures program provides funding for business plan development and market research around new technologies. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

Vermont’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) mission is to advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based prosperity. EPSCoR underwrites the VCET Graduate Fellows program.

The Vermont Small Business Development Center’s (VtSBDC) mission is to strengthen existing business and assist start-ups with free counseling and affordable training programs. The Commercialization Adviser provides assistance for federal grant funding opportunities.

The Greater Burlington Industrial Corp (GBIC) is Vermont’s certified non-profit economic development corporation for Chittenden County. The primary goal of GBIC is the creation and retention of value-added jobs that will strengthen the region's economy and improve the quality of life for area residents. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

Congressman Peter Welch is committed to helping Vermont businesses thrive. He and his staff have visited VCET, and are always available to speak with and provide assistance to Vermont business owners.

The Vermont Business Roundtable is a non-profit public interest organization made up of 120 of Vermont most active businesses and employers. Its mission is to make Vermont the best place in America to do business, be educated and live life.

The Vermont Technology Council (VTC) brings together research from universities and colleges serving as a vehicle driving for science and technology based economic development in Vermont. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

The Vermont Venture Network (VVN) is an open forum created to bring together the right people to help grow Vermont’s economy. It has been an important part of the entrepreneurial activity for almost twenty years. There are monthly meetings that feature speakers from VT’s business community or financing source.

Gallagher, Flynn & Company offers a wide range of services including: accounting, tax, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, IT consulting, financial planning and investments. Gallagher Flynn is large enough to provide a wide range of services, yet still small enough to provide the outstanding client-focused services upon which its reputation is based.

Merritt & Merritt & Moulton is a boutique law firm that collaborates with publicly- and privately-held growth companies throughout the Northeast, as well as the venture capital, government, institutional and private investors that support them, to build and guide their businesses.

Dinse/Knapp/McAndrew is a client-focused law firm with the integrated resources and legal team to manage today's most complex cases and transactions

Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI), serves the national public interest through the study of critical national issues and the development of related educational and training programs; by conducting rapid research, development and deployment of needed technologies; and by addressing related policy, information management and technology issues to enhance a national capability for preparedness and response. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

At Champlain College’s Bring Your Own Business (BYOBiz) program, undergraduate students submit their business ideas and once enrolled develop their plan using the classroom, board of directors, and local professionals that help students develop their business while competing for a cash prize. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

The Middlebury Solutions Group (MSG) accelerates early-stage Vermont ventures' time-to-capital, time-to-market and time-to-job-creation. Guided by faculty and volunteer mentors, undergraduate consultants learn while they deliver critical company-building services to the founders of MSG’s Vermont-based clients. Member of VCET’s Client Selection Committee.

The Incubator without Walls project has been formulated to grow businesses and respond to the changing economic climate in the Derby-Newport area. Lyndon State College, Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and regional collaborative partners have joined together to identify the most effective ways to respond to the addition of big box stores in the area and other challenges.

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to accelerate the development of Vermont’s green economy. We do this by providing early stage grant funding and technical assistance through our Peer to Peer Collaborative Program to entrepreneurs, businesses, farmers, networks and others interested in developing jobs and markets in the green economy.

The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center’s (VMEC) mission is "To Improve Manufacturing in Vermont and strengthen the global competitiveness of the state's smaller manufacturers." This is done through professional consulting, one-on-one coaching and public/onsite workshops to help Vermont's approximately 2,000 small and medium sized manufacturers increase their productivity, modernize their manufacturing and business processes, adopt advanced technologies, reduce costs, improve their competitiveness, and grow.

The Vermont Software Developers' Alliance (VtSDA) is a trade association dedicated to fostering a healthy software industry in the state of Vermont. It supports and promotes a thriving software community where members can share ideas, expertise, and strategies for success, bringing prosperity to all members and to the Vermont economy.

The Vermont BioSciences Alliance (VBSA) was formed by forward-looking Vermont bioscience companies to strengthen the already-thriving industry here and to do its part in furthering bioscience research in Vermont and around the world.

The USDA Rural Development loan guaranteed Program is designed to stimulate rural development in America.

FreshTracks Capital L.P., is a venture capital firm providing resources that help build thriving businesses throughout Vermont and Northern New England.

North Country Angels (NCA) brings together over 40 successful and experienced entrepreneurs who are active in making early-stage and seed investments in companies located in the northeastern United States.

Granite State Angels (GSA) brings together over 35 successful and experienced entrepreneurs who are active in making early-stage and seed investments in companies located in the northeastern United States.

CEI Ventures manages socially responsible venture capital funds. The company was founded in 1994 to mobilize private capital markets while advancing social goals.

Harbor Light Capital Partners is a private investment firm seeking to invest in early and growth stage companies located in the Northeast. Its unique approach combines flexible capital and collaborative support to build successful, sustainable operating companies. Harbor Light’s legacy, values, and experience provide the guiding light for superior results.

LaunchCapital addresses the capital needs of companies that are in the earliest stages of funding by providing a needed source of financing to companies that can quickly advance to the next level of development

Borealis Ventures partners with exceptional entrepreneurs to build great companies from the earliest stages. It is based in New Hampshire, but its portfolio companies have global impact as they redefine application software, deliver new Internet and mobile services, and commercialize life-changing technologies.

Community Capital offers financing and other assistance to businesses in Vermont that do not yet meet all the requirements for traditional bank financing.

The Colchester Community and Economic Development Advisory Council (CEDAC) is providing assistance to new businesses starting up and helping existing small entrepreneurial businesses find more resources to grow their business.

The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce has the largest business membership of any non profit in VT. They provide support for their members and help promote the Lake Champlain area and the businesses within it.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Burlington is one of America's most livable cities.