Council In the News Index

Mass. High-tech Councils Join Forces (Boston Business Journal)

by Kyle Alspach
Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 10:05am EST

Traditionally associated with large established tech companies, the Massachusetts High Technology Council is now seeking to bring more small businesses into the fold, the organization said Tuesday.

The council, the state’s association for CEOs of tech firms, said it is partnering with the North Shore Technology Council, a volunteer-led, nonprofit trade association for northeastern Massachusetts.

The partnership, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding, and “creates a larger and broader voice for technology policy influence in the Commonwealth,” according to the announcement.

The agreement gives the members of each organization membership status in both groups and access to each other’s programs, while also providing for the development of new opportunities across the organizations, the announcement said.

“While both organizations have different focuses and membership demographics, we share the common goal of growing the state’s innovation cluster and delivering strong returns on investment for our members,” said Christopher Anderson, president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, in the announcement.

Among the council’s programs that will now be open to North Shore Technology Council members are programs to reduce workers’ compensation insurance rates and develop more sustainable and energy-efficient facilities, Anderson said.

The Mass High Tech Council has also recently formed a new partnership with the New England Clean Energy Council, which aims to create more joint advocacy on energy policy and shared member services.

In addition, the council is developing the Innovation Access Network, an online business collaboration network which seeks to enable small business members to connect with large technology employers, universities and federal agencies.

The North Shore Technology Council, meanwhile, offers extensive business-to-business programs, events to members and two startup incubators — for biotech and cleantech — through Beverly-based North Shore InnoVentures.