At an Oct. 14 ceremony, Senator Patrick Leahy, FairPoint, the University of Vermont and the Vermont Technology Council officially launched VCET@BTV, a co-working and technology accelerator space opened by the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET). Located in downtown Burlington in the FairPoint Technology Hub, the co-working space offers startups flexible, ultra low cost meeting and office space memberships that include blazing fast one gig broadband, business mentoring, fun, and professional networking opportunities in an open floor plan design.

This summer, VCET converted 11,000 square feet of FairPoint’s offices at 266 Main Street into a hip, open space environment. The space and member community are designed to spur creativity and foster collaboration. With pop art work scattered around industrial, loft furnishings, the space conveys a modern Vermont-cabin, retro feel that blends business, brainstorming and board games.

“To encourage collaboration, we avoided traditional office cubicles,” said VCET chair Frank Cioffi. “It’s not only an incredible physical space to work in, but the talents and diversity of people it has attracted so far has surpassed anyone’s expectations.”  The VCET team will manage the space providing startups, remote technology workers and entrepreneurs with networking opportunities, business mentorships, new venture experts, and financial resources to launch and grow their businesses.

“Networking is one of the best features VCET@BTV offers,” said Marguerite Dibble, CEO of GameTheory, a local startup that produces games, apps and game strategies for businesses to engage and problem-solve with customers. “GameTheory thrives in an innovative, creative, supportive environment, which makes VCET@BTV a great place to be.” GameTheory is among the first members to join and has already grown its team.

With the support of the Vermont Technology Council, the University of Vermont and Senator Leahy, VCET opened in 2005 under a mandate to increase technology startups and accelerate next generation job creation in Vermont. Since then, the non-profit has assisted more than 900 start-ups across its three facilities through direct counseling, incubation, venture capital and accelerator programs.

“This is a great milestone for VCET and startups in Vermont. We started VCET as a business incubator, and today, with this new location, we take our practical next steps," said Senator Leahy. "By supporting Vermont startups through networking, low-cost space and mentorship, VCET magnifies Vermont's ability to compete on national and global scales."

“UVM has been a longtime partner and supporter of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies on UVM’s Trinity campus, and I know the University is thrilled to see VCET expand into downtown Burlington,” said UVM president Tom Sullivan. “I expect that the UVM faculty will be an important part of this new VCET facility, as they are now on campus – and students may be even more involved. The partnership between the VCET and UVM is a strong one and now has the potential to spur even more new business formation and economic development in the city and state.”

FairPoint state president Beth Fastiggi said that the space once housed telephone directory assistance operators. “At FairPoint, we are all about connecting communities and with the work VCET has done, start ups in Vermont have a one-stop-shop for the resources they need to succeed.”

VCET @ BTV has offered membership so far to over 50 entrepreneurs, remote workers, investors and mentors. Those interested in learning more about VCET @ BTV can visit www.coworkbtv.com.