Software Cluster

The Connecticut Technology Council no longer receives funding to manage the State’s Software Cluster. Thus, this initiative is no longer a specific program of the Council. It does however continue to support software companies generally through a variety of other efforts.

Cluster Updates

CeBIT 2009 - CeBIT is the leading international trade show for digital solutions, trends, and innovation, Office Automation - Information Technology - Telecommunications Location: Hannover, Germany  Dates: March 3-8, 2009

Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment Boston/Berlin is coordinating with the exhibitors participating at CeBIT 2009. Rates & more info .pdf  Contact: Diana La Muraglia  TEL: (617) 973-8650  Diana.LaMuraglia@state.ma.us

Software/IT Map Where are the Software/IT companies of Connecticut located? 

Software Cluster Priorities as of 2009

Business assistance – Support for more FastTrack programs

A database of services, mentors and skill sets in other SMEs

Big business/small business matching – more Innovation@Work programs

Other priorities:

A marketing campaign positioning Connecticut as a region of software & tech leadership

Job training connections with community colleges

Information Technology Competitive Position Today

Diverse: Connecticut’s Software/IT Cluster is very diverse.

Small Size:  CT’s Software/IT Cluster ranks 22nd in employment when ranked against the 25 leading states.  CT ranks 21st with respect to its location quotient.

Lags in Growth: CT Software/IT Cluster ranks last when compared to the top 25 states in average annual industry growth between 1993 and 2000. 

Areas experiencing some growth include:

Computer systems design and related services

Internet/web providers

Computer/software wholesalers

Computer and peripheral equipment manufacture

Motion picture/sound recording and production

Domestic Focus: The state’s Software/IT cluster is tied mainly to in-state consumption and services.

Solid IP Pipeline: CT ranks in the top ten states with respect to software/IT patents per million people.

Little Venture Capital: CT ranks 20 out of the top 25 States with respect to venture capital investment in software.

Information Technology Cluster Priority Actions
Action 1. Brand: VOICE-IT – Promote Connecticut as a center for IT excellence. Treat Connecticut IT as a core competency.
Action 2. Entrepreneurship: Faster Track – Help entrepreneurs solve business problems and grow their companies through providing better information, access to capital, infrastructure but particularly sales (expanding the existing Fast Track program with a formalized structure).
Action 3. Human Resources: The Competitive IT Workforce – Produce highly trained IT workers that have skills and knowledge that meet employer expectations through formalized dialogue between IT businesses and educational institutions.
Action 4. Finance: Connecticut Capital Gap Initiative – Create or improve access to more seed and early stage capital in Connecticut, also improve the investment climate for private funds and visibility of Connecticut financial resources for early stage businesses.
Action 5. IT Business: Driving Connecticut’s Economy – Leverage Connecticut’s IT resources to drive Connecticut’s business economy through increasing the visibility of Connecticut’s IT innovators to companies in the state and breaking down barriers.