Connecticut Technology Council

Tech Trends - article picks from SSTI staff, Week of 02/27/12

Obama Administration Launches a New Online Platform to Help Small Businesses 
The Obama Administration announced the launch of BusinessUSA, an online platform to help small businesses and exporters of all sizes find information about available federal programs. The website combines information and services from 10 different government agencies through one consolidated website and coordinates telephone support through a single 1-800 number. Visit the website...

NIST Announces National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence 
With the goal of protecting America's ideas and innovations, the new center will host multi-institutional, collaborative efforts building on expertise from industry and government. Read more ...

Rising Chinese Labor Costs Could Level the Playing Field 
Amid the arguments regarding China's unfair policies, the playing field may be leveling in terms of labor costs. This NY Times op-ed describes why China's labor costs have risen and reasons they will continue to rise — all of which is good news for U.S. manufacturing. Read more ...

Defining the Importance of Manufacturing 
High-wage jobs, commercial innovation, and a key to trade deficit reduction are just a few reasons why manufacturing matters to the U.S. economy. This Brookings article also outlines four areas in which manufacturing needs strengthening. Read more ...

NGA Report Finds Widespread Support for Green Economy Policies among GOP Govs 
Of the 28 states that have enacted new clean economy policies, more than half have Republican governors. The finding is a sharp contrast to the debate in Washington and on the presidential campaign trail.Read more ...

State-by-State Guide for Business Offerings 
This map from Business USA allows you to browse what services your state has to offer, including where to go for funding, taxation information and access to data.

Attributed to: SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute)

Gov. Dan Malloy's Proposal on Changes to the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS)

Gov. Dan Malloy earlier this month proposed legislation making changes to the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS) in order to tailor programming to the needs of employers. In addition to programmatic changes, the governor wants to change the governance of CTHSS to an independent, 11-member board whose members are made by appointment, removing oversight from the State Board of Education. The process would be led by the Department of Education in collaboration with the Board of Regents, Department of Labor and Department of Economic and Community Development.

The governor hopes to put in place reforms that will position the 20-school system to provide programs relevant for high-tech jobs available in Connecticut. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman singled out fields like precision manufacturing, bioscience and fuel cells in a press release. To help the efforts and increase the training and resources available for students, Gov. Malloy would allocate $500,000 in additional funding.

The governor's bill is available at: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/TOB/s/pdf/2012SB-00024-R00-SB.pdf.

Attributed to: SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute)

Technology-Based Overview of President Barack Obama's FY13 Budget Request

via SSTI, Federal Budget Special Issue...

"Each year, SSTI provides Digest readers with a comprehensive review of technology-based economic development spending in the the president's federal budget request. The year's edition includes proposed FY13 spending on R&D, STEM education, manufacturing, broadband, small business support, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, innovation workforce initiatives and more. The full report is available for download in pdf format (561 kb).

President Barack Obama's FY13 budget request includes few major changes from FY12 due to the spending cap agreed upon in the Budget Control Act. Funding for most, but not all, TBED-related programs would maintain nearly level funding. The White House is accentuating the budget's generous support for advanced manufacturing, clean energy and STEM education, and again is asking that the R&D tax credit be made permanent. ..."

Click Here for the Full Report

Attributed to: SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute)

The US Army Reserve is recruiting IT Professionals for Health Care IT

 The US Army Reserve is recruiting IT Pros - between 21-42 years old, with bachelor's degree.

- Job description:

As a Chief Information Officer for the United States Army Medical Department, you'll receive a SECRET security clearance as well as resume building opportunities that your counterparts will NOT be able to match.

Your job responsibilities will encompass:

Leadership 

Acquisitions

Policy making

Strategic Planning 

Performance and Results-Based Management

Process Improvement

Capital Planning and Investment

Architecture and Infrastructure 

Project Management

Technology Assessment

Security and Information Assurance

E-Government / E-Business

AS a CIO, you'll receive a commission from the President of the United States as an officer in the United States Army. You'll be enabling and transforming our system of health by leading IM/IT-enabled efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation across the Army Medical Department, the Military Health System, and in the federal sector in peace and in war.

As Medical Service Corps officers and healthcare IM/IT professionals, we have continued to distinguish themselves in improving every aspect of healthcare, from the combat zone to garrison. The work demands leadership, business knowledge, and IM/IT skills. The team involves a diverse collection of civilians, military, clinicians, and administrators which, together, comprise the IM/IT workforce. The results are better outcomes across the administrative and clinical spectrum. The beneficiaries are our Warfighters, their families, and our veterans.

Opportunities include:

* Assignments of increasing scope and responsibility

* Various forms of continuing education and certifications from

Federal and commercial sources

US Army Reserve benefits include:

- Paid continuing education

- Travel opportunities

- Low-cost life and dental insurance

- Non-contributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service - Networking opportunities - Commissary and post exchange shopping privileges - Flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k) - Privileges that come with being an Officer in the U.S. Army - Training to become a leader in your field

Requirements include:

- Bachelors degree

- Between 21 and 42 years of age

- Permanent U.S. residency

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call 203-265-1576.

Major Michael Filipowicz

US Army Health Care Recruiting

Wallingford CT, Officer in Charge

850 N. Main St Ext, BLD 2, Ste A2

Wallingford CT, 06492

203-265-1576 (o)

267-257-7990 (c)

203-284-9204 (f)

[email protected]

CASE: Medal of Technology deadline to nominate: 3/28/12

In 2012, the Governor will award the Connecticut Medal of Technology, Connecticut’s highest honor for technological achievement in fields crucial to Connecticut's economic competitiveness. 

Modeled after the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the CT Medal of Technology recognizes extraordinary achievements in the development and widespread implementation of technology in one or more of these areas: process and/or product innovation; technology transfer; advanced manufacturing, and technology management. The award is bestowed in alternate years with the CT Medal of Science.

As directed by State Statute, selection of the annual Medalist is conducted  by the Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education with the assistance of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. All Medal recipients will be permanently featured in a Hall of Fame at the Connecticut Science Center.

The Nomination Form is available at: http://www.ctohe.org/MOST/Default.shtml. Nominations should be submitted electronically and are due by March 28  2012.  

 

Connecticut Innovations Launches SBIR Acceleration and Commercialization Program

State Is One of a Handful to Fund SBIR Winners

Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public authority responsible for technology-based economic development, today announced that it has launched the Connecticut SBIR Acceleration and Commercialization Program. The program is supported with $1.8 million in funding from the State of Connecticut and $2.2 million from CI, for a combined fund total of $4 million.

The program will provide funding to Connecticut-based entrepreneurs and small businesses participating in the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to help them address their needs as they grow emerging technology companies. Program funding may also be used to foster critically important partnerships between small businesses and universities, as well as other collaborators, through joint technology development efforts.

Catherine Smith, board chair of Connecticut Innovations and commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said, “The recent passage of bipartisan legislation to promote economic growth and job creation in Connecticut provides an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate job growth among small businesses. Only a handful of states offer their SBIR companies funding support. We are delighted to be one of them.”

There are two funding initiatives under the Connecticut SBIR Acceleration and Commercialization Program. They provide critical support for SBIR Phase I and Phase II winners as well as companies that have won significant non-SBIR federal funding.

The first, the SBIR Phase I Matching Grant initiative, is designed to help recent Connecticut SBIR Phase I winners advance their federal Phase I feasibility studies to million-dollar Phase II research awards. It encourages collaborations, especially with Connecticut universities.

These grants were created to help bridge the funding gap between Phase I and subsequent awards. CI may increase its matching grant if a company subcontracts with a Connecticut research university.

The second, the Commercialization Loans initiative, aims to remove roadblocks to revenue generation. This funding is not limited to SBIR winners. All Connecticut-based small firms that have received SBIR Phase II awards or other significant federal R&D funding (generally $500,000 or more) during calendar years 2011 or 2012 are eligible to apply. The loans, however, will require a 50 percent match, which may come from a variety of sources.

Deb Santy, director of the Connecticut SBIR Office, states, “Connecticut SBIR Acceleration and Commercialization Program funding will be available in the form of grants and loans and will encourage university-industry linkages. These new program funding initiatives support the state’s SBIR winners, other large federal grant winners, and companies new to SBIR. Because federal SBIR Phase I and II grants do not cover all necessary costs for technology companies, the state support will help bridge the gap. Our website is up and companies can apply today.”

Details of these acceleration opportunities can be found at: https://www.ctinnovations.com/sbirfunding.

Some of the program funding will be used to launch a new state technology platform, the CTiHUB, which has been in development for about a year to support the state’s technology stakeholders. “Using CTiHUB, tech companies, manufacturers, agencies, universities, incubators, service providers and others will be able to collaborate and do business in a virtual, online setting,” Santy stated. “The timing is perfect to develop the infrastructure for an innovation ecosystem that will generate a strong economic impact on Connecticut.”

About Connecticut Innovations Inc. 
Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public organization dedicated to driving a vibrant, entrepreneurial, technology-based economy in Connecticut. CI stimulates high-tech growth by investing in early-stage Connecticut technology companies, university/industry research collaborations and technology transfer and collaborating with government, business, nonprofit and academic organizations to advance technology growth and promote public policies consistent with CI's mission. For more information on CI, please visit www.ctinnovations.com. 

STEM Education Series on Where We Live

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM): Connecticut’s strengths? Many of the state’s employers don’t think so anymore.

Where We Live concluded WNPR’s weeklong series on STEM education today. Here are links to the other stories in the series.

• STEM Series: Unfilled Jobs In CT Due To Lack Of Qualified Workers
• STEM Series: A Look At K-12 STEM Education
  
• STEM Series: Improving STEM Education in College
• STEM Series: Employers Promote STEM Learning

 

CT Angel Investor Tax Credit, FAQ's for Businesses & Investors (Update!)

Click Here for an Up-to-Date List of Qualified Connecticut Companies

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The forms:
Qualified Connecticut Business Application ($250- non-refundable fee to apply)

Angel Investor Certification/Request for Tax Credit Reservation Form

What is the Connecticut Angel Investor Tax Credit?

Included in the recently passed Bill 5435, Public Act No. 10-75, is the Angel Investor Tax Credit. It allows angel investors who invest at least $25,000 in a Connecticut start-up business in approved sectors to receive an income tax credit equaling 25% of their investment.

Who administers the Angel Investor Tax Credit?

Connecticut Innovations Inc. administers the tax credit under the guidelines put forth in Public Act No. 10-75.

Who qualifies as an Angel Investor?

An angel investor is an "accredited investor" under Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidelines. A group or network of such investors also qualifies.

The following do not qualify as angel investors:

• Investors who control more than 50% of the company receiving the investment
• A venture capital company
• "Any bank, bank and trust company, insurance company, trust company, national bank, savings association or building and loan association for activities that are a part of its normal course of business"

What businesses qualify for angel investment?

The business must:

• Engage in bioscience, advanced materials, photonics, information technology, clean technology, or an emerging technology, as determined by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner.
• Have its principal place of business in Connecticut.
• Have gross revenues under $1,000,000 in its most recent income year.
• Have fewer than 25 employees, at least 75% of which must be Connecticut residents.
• Have operated in Connecticut for less than 7 consecutive years.
• Have received less than $2,000,000 in eligible angel investments.
• Be primarily owned by the business' managers and their families.
• Have been identified by Connecticut Innovations (CI) as eligible for angel investment.

Are there limitations on the credit amount?

Angel Investors may not receive a credit larger than $250,000. The credit cannot exceed the total income tax owed by the investor for that year. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Revenue Services may not reserve an aggregate amount of tax credits for all investors that exceeds $6,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and $3,000,000 for every subsequent year until fiscal year 2019 when authorization for the tax credit expires.

Are there limitations on what can be done with the credit?

The credits cannot be transferred to other taxpayers.

How does a business apply to receive investment credits?

CI maintains a list of business that have applied and have been approved by CI to receive investments. The bill requires that CI's executive director compiles the list, which categorizes businesses by the amount of cash investment sought and the type of qualified securities they offer, monthly. The list is then made available to angel investors. In order to apply for inclusion on this list, a business must provide the following:

1. Its name and a copy of its organizational documents.
2. A business plan describing the business and its management, product, market, and financial plans.
3. A description of its innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
4. A statement of its potential economic impact, including the number, types, and location of jobs it expects to create.
5. A description of the qualified securities it offers, their cost, and the amount of cash investment sought.
6. The amount, timing, and projected use of the proceeds from the sale of these securities.
7. Any other information CI may require.

How does an investor access the credits?

An investor must first apply to CI to reserve tax credits. At this time the investor must identify the business to be invested in and the amount that is planning on being invested.

When can the credit be claimed?

Investors must claim the credit in the same year that he or she invested the funds; however, unused credits may be carried forward for up to 5 years.

For complete information:

See the full Public Act No.10-75 text.

See the Bill 5435 analysis.

See Connecticut Innovations Inc. (CI)

To apply for the tax credit as an investor, or to get your company approved for investor credits, visit: www.ctangeltaxcredit.com. From this site, a business may apply to become a “qualified business” thereby establishing it as eligible to receive angel investments. Angel Investors may complete the Angel Investor Certification/ Request for Tax Credit Reservation Form available on the Web site in order to make eligible investments in qualified businesses.

For additional information about the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program please contact Stepheni Harpin, Investment Analyst at [email protected]

AUTM Launches Web-based Portal to Accelerate Commercialization of University Technologies

The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) launched a Global Technology Portal (GTP) — a web-based resource to facilitate networking, partnership and licensing deals among corporations and universities. The portal will allow universities and corporations to match available technologies with emerging market needs. AUTM also hopes that the portal the portal will help to quicken the pace of product development by making it much easier for corporations to identify potential university partners. Only AUTM members may post and update their information on the portal. However, other entities and individuals can search the site for available technologies. AUTM expects quick growth for the portal, predicting its more than 3,000 members will make licensing ready technologies available on the new resource.

 Read the press release...

Attributed to: SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute)

State Science Education Standards Hurt U.S. Competitiveness, According to Report

Seventy-five percent of states (38 states) received grades of "C" or lower for their science education curriculum and instructions, according to a new report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. In contrast, only seven states received an "A-" or an "A." California and the District of Columbia were the only "As." Indiana, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Virginia received "A-s" for their excellent state science standards. New York was the only state to receive a "B+." Another six states were able to achieve a "B" — Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Utah.

In The State of State Science Standards 2012, researchers reviewed and analyzed the guidelines that inform K-12 science curriculum and instruction in every state and the District of Columbia. States were evaluated on the clarity, content, completeness and scientific correctness of their standards. However, researchers did not investigate whether science standards are properly assessed with state tests, effectively implemented in the schools or whether they are driving improvements in student achievement.

The results indicate that most states lack rigorous, content-rich science standards for K-12 students in most states. The report found four common areas where state science standards were flawed, including:

• Anti-evolutionary pressures continue to threaten and weaken science standards in many jurisdictions;
• Many standards are extremely vague;
• Science educators, curriculum developers and standards writers have focused excessive attention on "inquiry-based learning" instead of direct instruction of specific content; and,
• Few states make essential link between math and science clear and many seem to go to great lengths to avoid mathematical formulae and equations altogether.

According to the report, these poor results and common trends place America's national competitiveness, technological prowess and scientific leadership in grave jeopardy. Read the report and individual state report cards...

Attributed to: SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute)