Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1362682
18 Hartford Business Journal | April 19, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com Cantor Colburn is excited to support the HBJ Tech 25. As Co-Managing Partner of the fourth largest patent law firm in the United States, our law firm works closely with the some of most innovative companies in the region, the country, and the world. Many of our clients are tech companies, and we have seen first-hand how the presence of these companies contributes to the economic development, creative workforce, and overall positive vitality of their respective communities. Similarly, we know how important the tech sector is to growth in our own region. That's why the drive and success of these 25 innovative, growth-oriented companies are so important for all of us in the Greater Hartford area. In the last year, we as individuals, and the businesses and companies around us, have all been called upon to be resilient and innovative. Well, these important and exciting 25 tech companies have led the way. The world was changed overnight by the COVID pandemic. Every industry has had to be flexible to keep operating – and many businesses, particularly those highlighted here, created new opportunities, and have learned to thrive. We are proud to celebrate these 25 companies for their achievements; and we are excited about the economic growth they bring to the Greater Hartford area. High technology has been a major driver of the local economy and attracts skilled talent to the area. Bloomberg identified Connecticut as one of the most innovative states in the nation; and these 25 companies are emblematic as to just why Bloomberg put us so high on that list. Connecticut generally, and Greater Hartford in particular, is a rising source of start-ups in the advanced manufacturing, insuretech, fintech, pharma/biotech and software spaces. Venture capitalists, whose vision used to focus more closely on New York and Boston, are now realizing that Connecticut is its own hotbed of talented and rising start-ups, including our own growing number of "unicorns." The State's unique venture capital firm, the Quasi-Public Connecticut Innovations (CI), of which I am proud to be the Chair, is supporting literally hundreds of new start-ups while simultaneously leveraging millions of investment dollars from other venture firms and creating thousands of high paying jobs. Bottom line, it's a great time to do business and grow in Connecticut—just ask anyone of these fabulous HBJ Tech 25! Michael A. Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn LLP www.cantorcolburn.com