Seventy-Six Tech Companies to Watch Chosen for 201

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Technology Council has selected 76 Tech Companies to Watch to participate in the seventh annual Innovation Summit , presenting to the technology community 76 relatively unknown early stage technology firms with the potential to become fast growing firms. The seventy-six were selected from a larger group of applicant companies and most are recent start-ups with many pre-revenue. A small number are small tech firms who have been in business for a few years and have revenue.

The 2013 Innovation Summit will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Toyota Oakdale Theater on Thursday, November 7. The annual event, presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, the Crossroads Venture Group, CURE and CTNEXT, provides entrepreneurs, angels, venture investors, corporate business development executives, and business service providers an opportunity to network, while the selected firms receive an opportunity to meet mentors and potential investors. The Innovation Summit is expected to attract 400 attendees.

"This year's Companies to Watch are an exciting and eclectic group. They represent a diverse group of early stage teams with great potential for growth and success," said Matthew Nemerson, President & CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council, " I am always surprised at how our technology eco-system is creating an exciting class of new companies each year."

Innovation Summit features this year:

• A Funding Fair where 40 funders including angels, VC's, corporate VC's, investment bankers, lenders, family offices, government programs and private investors will be on-hand to offer individual guidance and advice.
• Mentor Meetings where 76 entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to meet one-on-one with three tech experts of their choosing- executives, investors, and serial entrepreneurs who built and sold companies- to share their experiences, knowledge and expertise.
• The Pitch Fest where each of the 76 companies will deliver a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges. The top five pitchers will compete at the Pitch-Off where the audience, by way of electronic voting, will determine the winner.
• A Poster Expo, or mini-trade show experience, where the 76 Tech Companies to Watch will exhibit and meet attendees.
• An Awards Ceremony which will recognize the next generation of high-growth companies in Connecticut and the region. Five of the 76 companies will receive awards in the following categories:

• Most Promising New Technology Product or Service
• Most Promising Software Product
• Most Promising New Internet/New Media Company
• Most Promising Life Sciences Product
• Most Promising New Green/Environmental Product

This year's event is made possible by three presenting sponsors: the law firm of Cantor Colburn LLP, the law firm of Dickstein Shapiro LLP, and First Niagara Bank.

Supporting sponsors include Connecticut Innovations, Digital Surgeons, the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, the accounting firm of Fiondella, Milone and LaSaracina, Fiserv, The Hartford Technology and Life Science Practice and TriNet HR Corporation.

Tickets for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit can be purchased at the Connecticut Technology Council website: www.ct.org .

A list of the selected companies and their city or town can be found at the CTC website .

About The Connecticut Technology Council

The Connecticut Technology Council is a statewide association of technology oriented companies and institutions, providing leadership in areas of policy advocacy, community building and assistance for growing companies. Speaking for over 2,000 companies that employ some 200,000 residents, the Connecticut Technology Council seeks to provide a strong and urgent voice in support of the creation of a culture of innovation.For more information, visit www.ct.org .

Mike Scricca, CTC 860.289.0878 ext. 334