Information Technology

Comprised of over 3000 companies supporting over 170,000, Massachusetts’ Information Technology industry is one of the most well recognized clusters of technology talent in the world. Massachusetts world-leading research universities drive a thriving, highly networked, supportive and open innovation ecosystem which includes robotics, RFID/CSID, videogaming, photonics, nanotechnology, telecommunications, mobile technologies, Software as a Service, cloud computing, and Web 2.0 Companies.

 

IT Collaborative

In 2009 Governor Patrick called for the establishment of a collaborative framework between industry, academia, and government in order to advance policy and create an action agenda to improve the IT Sector’s Competiveness. Learn more about its work at Mass Technology Collaborative.

 

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., MassTLC is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and promoting the success of companies that develop and deploy technology across industry sectors.

 

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.

 

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.

 

TechAmerica

TechAmerica serves the high-tech business interests of companies in the northeast region by providing access to opportunities for networking, business development, education, advocacy, and through delivering a portfolio of products and services.

 

 

MomoBoston

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.

 

Boston PostMortem

Boston PostMortem promotes computer game developers in New England, who 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.

 

 

Networking Opportunities

Mass Mobile Month

March 2010 is Mass Mobile Month, a celebration of mobile technology innovation in New England. Who says so? Xconomy and 22 other local organizations that have banded together to highlight the remarkable string of mobile-related events happening around town in March.

 

TechStars Boston

TechStars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment fund. Each year they run a summer-long program in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

 

Web Innovators Group

The Web Innovators Group (WebInno) is comprised of people engaged in internet and mobile innovation in the Boston area. They support entrepreneurs, visionaries, and creative thinkers in the field by holding events which foster community interaction.

 

Dart Boston

DartBoston is a community of entrepreneurs, students and professionals under 30 helping one another start businesses.

 

 

Cambridge Innovation Center

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.

 

 

Awesome Foundation

Awesome Foundation awards $1000 grant to awesome ideas.

 

Mass Innovation Nights

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.

 

The MIT Enterprise Forum

The MIT Enterprise Forum is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in Cambridge whose mission is to promote educate, inform, and support the entrepreneurial community.

 

 

Silver Lining

Silver Lining is a technology-focused group in New England that gathers to discuss issues and opportunities which include innovation, standardization, security, privacy, cloud computing, tech investment and other trends that arise. They currently focus on cloud computing.

 

 

Social Media Breakfast

The Social Media Breakfast brings social media experts and newbies alike together to eat, meet, share, and learn. Marketers, PR pros, entrepreneurs, bloggers, podcasters, new-media fanatics, and online social networkers are all welcome to attend.

 

 

Greenhorn Connect

Greenhorn Connect is a Web portal Boston region entrepreneurs, connecting them with the most comprehensive resource listing and events calendar in the region, as well as other relevant and original content. Greenhorn Connect is focused on fostering community, as anyone can add a resource or an event to their calendar and regularly invites guest bloggers from the region to share their knowledge and experience.

 

 

The Capital Network

The Capital Network is a community for entrepreneurs seeking between $50k and $4M who are building fundable businesses towards an exit strategy.

 

 

TiE Boston

TiE-Boston is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to foster and support entrepreneurship, either in a start-up context or within a larger company for South-Asian entrepreneurs.

 

 

Entrepreneur's Organization Boston

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a dynamic, global network of more than 7,000 business owners in 38 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life.

 

 

VentureFizz

VentureFizz is a one-stop destination website where you can find all that is buzzing within Boston’s technology sector. VentureFizz’s goal is to foster and promote innovation and entrepreneurialism within the Boston Tech community. You can find information about software, Internet, mobile, hardware, cloud computing, security, etc.

 

 

Venture Capital Support

In addition to the upcoming open office hours, several local venture-captial companies have programs to help young entrepreneurs: Spark Capital's start@Spark, and Polaris' Dogpatch Labs. For more information on Dogpatch Labs click here.

 

Great news outlets/blogs to find out what’s going on in Massachusetts’ IT Cluster

 

Mass High Tech

Xconomy

Scott Kirsner’s Innovation Economy Blog

MIT Technology Review

Mass Innovation Blog

BostInnovation