Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/479389
2014 | Doing Business in Connecticut 87 75 percent of a normal workweek, but then have the remainder of their time to use SeeClickFix's office and infrastructure to work on their own businesses during nights and weekends. e term of the fellowship is six months. "We're getting a lot of work out of them and they're getting a lot of experience in growing a business," Berkowitz said. In addition to the CTNext contract, SeeClickFix also secured a $300,000 loan in fiscal year 2013 through the state's Small Business Express program at the state Department of Economic and Commu- nity Development (DECD). at money, according to Greta Hotopp, the company's director of finance and operations, has helped drive growth at the firm. "Without that money up front, we wouldn't have been able ex- pand as quickly as we have," she said. Another tech startup that's put roots down in the Nutmeg State is GoECart, which offers a fully integrated suite of ecommerce tools for online retailers. Manish Chowdhary founded GoECart from his dorm room at the University of Bridgeport. He bootstrapped the business and has not accepted any venture capital, but has managed to grow the busi- ness and reach profitability. He now employs about 20 people and has plans to add six to 10 new staff members this year. While Connecticut doesn't have the reputation of other tech hubs like Cambridge or Silicon Valley, Chowdhary said Connecticut's tech scene has improved since he started his business 14 years ago. "I think I'm certainly seeing more entrepreneurial ventures hap- pening in Connecticut," he said, adding that programs like CTNext are "propelling growth." And Chowdhary hopes to take advantage of the state's increased sup- port for small businesses. He has an application with the DECD pending. Bruce Carlson, acting director of the Connecticut Technology Council, said that Connecticut is well on its way to developing a strong cluster of soware companies that can rival places like Silicon Valley. In particular he pointed to the strong cluster of soware firms serving the insurance and financial services industry, including SS&C Technologies in Windsor as well as Glastonbury-based Open Solu- tions, which was acquired in 2013 by Minnesota-based Fiserv. Notable Tech Employers in Connec cut Gartner Inc., Stamford Priceline.com, Norwalk SS&C Technologies, Windsor TicketNetwork, South Windsor Fiserv (formerly Open Solu ons), Glastonbury Tech Industry Stats Ben Berkowitz, founder of New Haven's SeeClick- Fix, says his company is a poster child for the new knowledge-based economy in Connecticut. PHOTO/COURTESY 5,535 Number of tech companies in CT 66,485 Jobs in the tech sector $6.1 billion Total payroll for the CT tech industry $92,176 Average wage in the CT tech industry Continued on page 92 > Source: TechAmerica Founda on Cyberstates Report