Grants cultivate technology workforce, encourage talent to stay local
Rocky Hill, Conn., August 22, 2012 – Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public authority responsible for growing Connecticut businesses through innovative financing tools and assistance, today announced that with new program funding it will support additional student internships under the Technology Talent Bridge Program. CI launched this new initiative in April.
The program provides experiential learning activities for Connecticut university and college students (bachelor degree candidates) – or students who are residents of Connecticut and attend a university outside of Connecticut – through mentored internships at small, technology-based businesses in the state. “In its first four months of operation, the Technology Talent Bridge Program has already created some outstanding learning opportunities for Connecticut students, who will benefit greatly from their unique, career-related experiences,” said Claire Leonardi, chief executive officer and executive director of CI. “We’re pleased that additional program funding is now available, and that even more businesses and students will be able to participate. In challenging economic times, it is crucial to cultivate local talent and fuel the growth of the tech sector – both key goals of the Malloy administration.”
CI provided funding to 10 companies in support of 16 interns when the program began. The current interns are students at six Connecticut universities: Fairfield University, University of Bridgeport, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, Quinnipiac University and Yale University. The ten participating companies are:
• Alan M. Dressler & Associates (dba Central Computer & Cell Phone Forensics Lab)(Bridgeport) • Bartron Medical Imaging (New Haven) • Biorasis (Storrs) • ePath Learning (New London) • Precision Combustion (North Haven) • Ridgefield One (Ridgefield) • Skystream Markets (Stamford) • Strain Measurement Devices (Wallingford) • Synbody Biotechnology (Farmington) • Turnkey Processing (Meriden)
The program expands collaborations between industry and universities in Connecticut for the purpose of strengthening our workforce and retaining talent in the state. It is designed to:
• Facilitate post-graduation hiring of participating students by Connecticut companies. • Provide stronger linkages between Connecticut companies and university students before they graduate, reducing the likelihood of graduates leaving the state or having difficulty finding quality jobs. • Stimulate job creation. • Strengthen university curricula through experiential learning activities that build industry-related skills.
To be part of the program companies must be in business for at least one year and must engage a student or team of students to work on a project involving a technological challenge or problem that can be solved within three to nine months.
Grants of up to $25,000 per project are available to participating businesses and are to be used primarily for student intern compensation. Businesses may apply for one grant per year. Small business applicants are required to complete an application in which they describe their proposed internship projects. CI is now accepting applications for fall internship projects with a start date of September 17 or later. For more information on the Technology Talent Bridge Program, click here. About Connecticut Innovations Inc.
Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public corporation providing equity, debt and bond financing and other forms of financial assistance to companies in all stages of the business life cycle, from startup to later stage. CI offers its portfolio companies strategic guidance and collaborations with partners in business, finance, education, government and nonprofit sectors. CI’s initiatives are designed to grow the state’s economic and technology base, and to stimulate business investments and job creation.
For more information on CI, please visit www.ctinnovations.com.