Information Technology
Comprised of over 3000 companies supporting over 170,000 jobs in 2008, the Information Technology cluster is one of Massachusetts’ leading industries in the ‘Innovation Economy.’ Massachusetts has outperformed nearly all other leading technology states in growth in the IT industry recently – and we are primed and ready for significant growth. Massachusetts has world-leading research universities including many labs at MIT (Media Lab, CSAIL Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab), UMass’s Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), and also is home to many private research laboratories.
Massachusetts is also a hotbed of activity in industry subsets like, robotics, RFID/CSID, videogaming, photonics, nanotechnology, telecommunications, mobile technologies, Software as a Service, cloud computing, and Web 2.0 Companies.
Also, Massachusetts recently announced the Western Massachusetts city of Holyoke has been selected to host an $100million high performance, “green” computing center ambitious, "green," high performance computing center that will be managed by a collaborative led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Massachusetts that will also include the EMC Corp., the data storage giant based in Hopkinton, and Cisco Systems Inc., which has a regional research center in Boxborough.
A huge amount of networking, forums, conferences, unconferences, and entrepreneurship opportunities occurs in Massachusetts IT cluster. You can spend every night going to an industry event talk or meet-up, so come participate!
IT Support
IT Collaborative. On January 27, 2009 at the State house, Governor Patrick called for the establishment of a collaborative framework between industry, academia, and government (an “IT Collaborative”) to advance policy and an action agenda to improve the IT Sector’s Competiveness. Learn more about its work at innovate.masstech.org. This project is supported by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s John Adams Innovation Institute.
Massachusetts Broadband Institute. Major new initiative to extend affordable high-speed internet access to all homes, businesses, schools, libraries, medical facilities, government office and other public places in the State.
Technology Industry Associations
Massachusetts has very strong industry associations which provide support for IT businesses, Executives and entrepreneurs. Each of these associations hold numerous networking and educational events, be sure to click on their websites to learn about their exciting work.
Mass Technology Leadership Council, Inc.
Formed by the powerful combination of Mass Software Council and New England Business and Technology Association, Inc., the organization is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and promoting the success of companies that develop and deploy technology across industry sectors. The Mass Technology Leadership Council accomplishes its mission by conducting educational programs and hosting signature events, facilitating networking between industry executives and potential partners, investors, and customers, sponsoring research on the industry, engaging in activities to enhance the quality and quantity of the next generation of technology professionals, advocating in favor of technology policies that promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and recognizing industry-leading companies and people.
Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange
MITX today is the leading industry association in the country, bringing together digital technology, marketing and media professionals, to engage in what is next for the web and how it impacts the marketing and business worlds. With 250 plus member companies representing over 7,000 digital professionals, it is a dynamic and growing community of thought leaders, collaborators, and individuals in search of insight, education and opportunity.
MassNetComms is the premier industry association for network technology companies. They provide unparalleled access to senior executives, venture capitalists, investors, and customers. And they provide a full slate of educational and networking events, designed to help you gain the edge you need to grow your business.
Massachusetts High Tech Council
The Massachusetts High Technology Council is a non-profit, non-partisan policy advocacy corporation whose membership is comprised of respected business leaders of Massachusetts high technology and high-value-added service companies. Through membership in the Council, our members are able to accomplish one of their most important external responsibilities in an efficient and cost-effective way. That responsibility is: to help make Massachusetts the world's most attractive place in which to live and work, and in which to create, operate and expand high technology businesses.
TechAmerica is the largest and strongest voice and resource for technology in the United States and is the industry's leading trade association. TechAmerica New England serves the high-tech business interests of companies in the region by providing access to opportunities for networking, business development, education, advocacy, and through delivering a portfolio of products and services
Mobile Monday (MoMo) is a global community of mobile industry visionaries, developers and influential individuals fostering cooperation and cross-border business development through virtual and live networking events to share ideas, best practices and trends from global markets. MoMo chapters are active in over 60 cities worldwide, and continues to launch new locations monthly. Mobile Monday Boston has been active since March 2005 and has grown into one of Boston’s most established technology networking organizations. Their philosophy is to hold free and open events that encourage connections within the mobile industry, educate our members about mobile industry trends, and assist aspiring mobile entrepreneurs.
Computer game developers in New England meet periodically in the Boston area to discuss the business of making and playing computer games, to meet old friends and make new friends in the industry, and to hang out, eat and drink, and have a good time.
Help for Entrepreneurs and more Networking Opportunities
TechStars Boston, TechStars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment fund. Each year we run a summer-long program in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These companies get up to $18,000 in seed funding, a summer of intensive top-notch mentorship, and the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the summer.
Web Innovators Group,
The Web Innovators Group (WebInno) is comprised of people engaged in internet and mobile innovation in the Boston area. We aim to support entrepreneurs, visionaries, and creative thinkers in the field by holding events which foster community interaction. Our regular meetings provide a forum for entrepreneurs from self-funded/early-stage startups to present new services to their peers, as well as an opportunity for everyone in the community to share and exchange ideas. Run by venture capitalist David Beisel of Venrock.
The OpenCoffee Club was started to encourage entrepreneurs, developers and investors to organize real-world informal meetups to chat, network and grow. They gather every Wednesday morning in Central Square, Cambridge.
Several Local Venture Capital Companies have programs to help young entrepreneurs. Highland Capital's Summer Entrepreneurship Program , Spark Capital's Start@Spark, and Polaris’ Dogpatch Labs (dogpatchlabs@gmail.com)
DartBoston is a network of the top, young entrepreneurs and professionals in Boston. They provide helpful resources, advice, and strategic consulting for individuals, start-ups, and organizations in the Boston area. DartBoston is a community of entrepreneurs, students and professionals under 30 helping one another start businesses.
Neighboring the MIT campus and steps away from the Red Line in the heart of Kendall Square, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) is the largest flexible office facility for growing technology and life sciences companies in the Greater Boston area. The Cambridge Innovation Center offers start-up and emerging companies award-winning facilities and state-of-the-art business and technical services in a package which is designed to meet the needs of small and growing businesses. CIC is cost efficient and scales with the company's growth. Currently, over 175 companies are located at CIC.
Betahouse provides coworking for entrepreneurs, technologists and creatives.
Awesome Foundation awards $1000 grant to awesome ideas.
Mass Innovation Nights connect Massachusetts-based innovators with the marketplace using social media. Held at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, the monthly Launch Parties are FREE for everyone — companies and guests alike.
Hubspot.tv and Permission TV are two local companies doing live online TV shows on helping entrepreneurs with social media techniques.
Contact:
Jason Schupbach, Director
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3730,
Boston, MA 02116
Phone:617-973-8541
Fax:617-973-8554
Email: Creative.Economy@state.ma.us