Vermont is home to some of the most innovative companies in the world.
Vermont currently ranks No. 2 in the nation on the Kauffman Foundation’s 2016 Index of Main Street Entrepreneurship for Smaller States, up one place from 2015. There is a culture of dreaming big here, and innovative companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Keurig Green Mountain, Burton, and Vermont Teddy Bear Co. all got their start in the state.
It’s no wonder: For entrepreneurs looking to master the work/life balance, Vermont may be the ideal place to get started. Thanks to the state’s collaborative tech community and world-class lifestyle amenities — from skiing and hiking to microbrewery and locavore scenes — entrepreneurs are increasingly deciding to grow their businesses in Vermont.
Your idea could be the next great Vermont success story. We’re here to help you succeed.
Get started with the State
The Vermont Department of Economic Development is here to help.
Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET)
VCET is the go-to resource in Vermont to gain access to startup experts, a robust mentor and investor network, education programs, and three high-impact co-working spaces in Burlington.
Road Pitch
FreshTracks Capital’s Road Pitch sends business bikers on the road for a four-day road trip across Vermont in search of the best and brightest entrepreneurs across the state.
Milk Money Vermont
Milk Money is where Vermonters discover local investment opportunities, get tips on how to evaluate those opportunities, and then make an investment.
Launch VT
LaunchVT is a community initiative powered by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity for exposure, education, and real experience to start their businesses.
HOW WE STACK UP
#50
on the Opportunity Index
—based on a combination of Economy, Education and Community factors (2017) Opportunity Index
#38
Small Businesses with the Best Credit Scores
— (2017) Inc.com
29
Patents per 1,000 residents
—for Burlington, Vermont (from 2009 to 2013), NerdWallet
WHY VERMONT?
When I see the Vermont entrepreneurial scene and what we see on Road Pitch, I’m really struck with the diversity of different kinds of pitches. That’s what’s unique about the Vermont scene; it’s made up of a lot of different characters.