IT Insight: Innovation in the Granite State

From the first interactive video game and American alarm clock to the Segway and the birthplace of the term “artificial intelligence,” New Hampshire has generated innovation for centuries.

This tradition continues with NH Tech Alliance’s 2024 Innovation Summit “Cultivating Resilience: Innovate, Adapt, Thrive,” which will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 and feature innovators from all over the state.  This day-long conference brings together over 200 tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors, legislators, and industry partners to talk about the latest trends in tech, such as AI and the challenges of being an entrepreneur in NH. The agenda includes experts who will share insight, knowledge, and stories that attendees can apply to their own businesses to innovate, adapt, and thrive.

The Summit commences with the presentation of the recently announced 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. “We are excited to be awarding Jonathan Strimling the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. CleanFiber was the first recipient of the Millworks Fund, and under Jonathan’s leadership has had such an impressive trajectory since then. The work Jonathan has done is a testament to the importance of the support the NH Tech Alliance provides to the startup ecosystem,” said Julie Demers, Executive Director of the NH Tech Alliance.

Next is the keynote presentation delivered by Mike Ambrogi , Senior Technology Fellow at Novocure and Heather Lavoie , Senior Vice President & CIO at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.Following the keynote is a panel discussion on North America’s Chipmaking including the impact of the CHIPS Act on the New Hampshire tech economy.

The agenda continues after lunch with “Mindfulness: Upgrading Awareness, Advancing Our Goals”presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and then a choice of breakout sessions including:

• Navigating Capital Financing in Uncertain Times
• Utilizing Partnerships to Grow your Business
• Navigating the Ethical and Legal Challenges of AI
• How to get unstuck to grow, scale, and thrive

Following the afternoon sessions, there is an excitingStartup Showcase that willfeature early-stage startups presenting their a 5-minute pitch to the audience. This year’s presenters include Mother of Fact, Pirouette Medical Inc., Kingscrowd, Pitchfire, and Perleybrook Labs Inc.

The day concludes with the New Hampshire Innovation Highlight,an opportunity for attendees to hear from two established NH companies changing the industry right in our backyard, along with anend-of-day cocktail reception.

NHTA looks forward to seeing NH business leaders attend the summit to be inspired by innovation, to learn from trend-setters in the technology space, and to gain insights to apply to their business!

PCGiT is a proud member of the NHTA! Join us to Innovate, Adapt & Thrive!

For more information and to register, visit nhtechalliance.org/innovation-summit/

JoAnn Hodgdon is vice president and co-founder of Portsmouth Computer Group (PCGiT) with her husband David. PCG provides comprehensive managed IT services, business continuity, security, cloud computing and Virtual CIO services to their clients. You may reach her at joann@pcgit.com or at www.pcgit.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: IT Insight: Innovation in the Granite State