Half-day seminar on November 2 gives Connecticut companies tools they need to scale
New Haven, Conn. – The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) has organized a first-of-its-kind event designed to encourage growth among Connecticut startups. On November 2 at the Omni Hotel in New Haven, entrepreneurs and professionals will attend a series of panels, lectures and workshops providing a well-rounded view of what it takes to scale a company in Connecticut.
The event builds on the decade-long success of CTC’s Innovation Summit and kicks off the next evolution of Connecticut’s startup infrastructure. Over the past five years, organizations like CTC and CT NEXT have rapidly improved the climate for startups in Connecticut, and the state has begun to climb from near the bottom of entrepreneurial rankings toward the middle.
“We’re seeing that entrepreneurs now have the conditions they need to start a company in Connecticut,” says Bruce Carlson, CEO of CTC, “but many are getting stuck with just a few employees. Our organization is shifting focus now to help companies that may have 5 employees find a way to get to 50 in the next few years.”
According to survey data compiled by CTC, non-financial factors are some of the biggest impediments to growth for companies in Connecticut. “We’re seeing that entrepreneurs have confidence in their access to capital, but may have knowledge gaps on things like marketing on a larger scale or forming corporate partnerships.”
ScaleUp CT will address this problem head on with panelists from firms such as Cantor Colburn and Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina that help companies scale (and are sponsors of the event). Attendees will hear from leaders of tech companies that have successfully grown in Connecticut such as Core Informatics, a biotech company based in Branford. Mike Driscoll, entrepreneur in residence at Connecticut Innovations, will discuss a program used by the venture capital firm to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge needed to scale their businesses.
“I hope that Amazon chooses Hartford or Stamford for its new headquarters,” says Carlson, “but it’s important for Connecticut to think about a plan B. There’s often so much focus on attracting or pleasing well-known companies. Folks forget that those companies scaled up at one point from small businesses. We are working to grow the companies that are already here to provide more jobs and revenue.”
Most states have a startup initiative of some kind, but Connecticut is the only state working to provide the knowledge and resources companies need to scale. “If we can make Connecticut an ideal place to scale a company,” says Carlson, “we will not only be more able to retain our motivated young people, but we may also see startups from Boston and New York relocate here to scale.”
ScaleUp CT is open to CTC members and non-members, and while targeted to leaders of small companies looking to grow soon, has something to offer for a wide range of movers and shakers. “Whether you play an entrepreneurial role within a larger organization, or are just starting a company and want to think big picture, this event will be of great value to you,” says Carlson, “not just from the conversations presented, but also for the opportunity to meet and connect with others like you.”
Register
http://tech.ct.org/events/details/2017-scaleup-ct-220
CTC Member: $50
Non-member: $75
Location
Omni Hotel New Haven 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06510
Contact
Courtney King Marketing & Communications Manager Connecticut Technology Council CKing@ct.org O: 860.289.0878, ext. 338 C: 860.970.5094
About the Connecticut Technology Council
The Connecticut Technology Council is a statewide association of technology oriented companies and institutions, that has been providing leadership in areas of policy advocacy, community building and assistance for growing companies since 1994. Speaking for 2,500 companies that employ some 200,000 residents, the mission of the Connecticut Technology Council is to spark innovation, cultivate tech talent, foster business growth, advocate for industry-beneficial law and policy, expand the scope of industry networking and professional development, and celebrate industry achievements in the state. The CTC seeks to serve Connecticut’s technology ecosystem by providing leadership, support, mentoring, and advocacy to companies across every industry and at every stage of growth. For more information, visit http://www.ct.org