Attention Hackers! Code for BTV Finds New Home at VCET
Volunteer Coding Community Helps Solve State’s Biggest Social Issues
Burlington, VT (April 9, 2019) – The Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) is proud to welcome Code for BTV, the local chapter (or Brigade) of Code for America, as its newest member and partner. VCET will provide infrastructure and support to help further the organization’s mission of solving the challenges among local civic and non-profit organizations with relatively simple tech solutions, all by leveraging the power of volunteerism, community, and coding know-how. Code for BTV is a self-described ‘pro-bono digital agency’ serving Vermont’s governmental and non-governmental organizations. Its team of coders and designers use their skills to help address some of the most critical issues facing Vermonters today: poverty; criminal justice; environmental issues and more. Much of the technology associated in managing these issues is outdated, inefficient or altogether nonexistent. Code for BTV brings custom digital development to organizations that could otherwise not afford the time or budget to manage such projects, and simultaneously creates a sense of community among volunteer hackers to collaborate on meaningful projects.
“VCET’s entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic, creative space aligns well with Code for BTV’s aspirational and transformative goals,” says Micah Mutrux of Code for BTV. “The Brigade relies on the energy of the same community of builders and visionaries that work at VCET every day. And access to the high-speed connectivity and well-equipped meeting rooms make it easy for our members to congregate and focus on their work, which is
building new tools to help Vermonters.”
Code for BTV program partners include Big Heavy World, Fletcher Free Library, the City of Burlington Mayor’s Office, BTV Ignite, NOFA-VT, and the Office of the UVM Vice President for Research. Code for BTV will operate from VCET’s flagship facility in the Consolidated Communications Technology Hub in downtown Burlington.
“Groups like Code for BTV deliver tangible social contributions in Vermont, and VCET and our partners are thrilled to become a significant collaborator in driving positive change,” says Sam Roach-Gerber, director of Innovation at VCET. “Our Consolidated Tech Hub workspace is the ideal seeding ground for inspiration and innovation, as we’ve seen with similar member partners like Burlington Code Academy, Burlington Codes, and several ongoing meetup groups. There is no shortage of issues to solve here in Vermont, and luckily we have a dedicated civic-minded workforce creating the solutions.”
“Vermont has a thriving entrepreneurial spirit that helps define our passion for innovation and collaboration, helping to build stronger, more connected communities,” says Jeffrey Austin, director of Vermont Government Affairs for Consolidated Communications. “We’re proud to host VCET in our Burlington Technology Hub as we share and support their passion to use technology to innovate, connect and grow our communities.”
The Code for BTV team invites everyone interested to swing by their new digs for the housewarming on April 16, 2019 at 5:30PM. All are welcome!
About VCET
Advancing innovation and entrepreneurship, the non-profit Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) provides expert business mentoring, technology professional networking, three coworking and accelerator facilities in Middlebury and Burlington, innovation programs, and early stage venture capital. VCET manages the Vermont Seed Capital Fund, LP, a revolving $5 million venture capital investment fund. VCET was named #11 globally in 2013 by
the UBI Index and in 2018 received an IMPACT Award from InBIA. Visit www.vcet.co, follow
@VCET and listen to #StartHere podcast.
