By Steve Kozak
When I think of 2010, the phrase “Ready to pounce” comes to mind. Or, as one tech executive recently told me, “Our pipeline feels more like a plum tree these days, laden with multiple fruits that keep swelling and swelling.”

Yes, Maryland’s tech industry is alive and well. Looking back, 2009 was a challenging year, with layoffs, restructurings and expense watching at every company. That said, as I meet with leaders from the tech industry, I continue to hear 2009 “was a relatively ‘even’ year for us, it wasn’t ‘that’ bad” - “that” being a relative word.

Many industry execs mentioned seeing an uptick in business activity this past spring. Others are even mentioning the “H” word: HIRING. In fact, I’d say that many of our region’s tech companies have quietly been in “hire” mode for months now.

How? Well, in general terms, the ongoing need for new technology is not only not going away, it’s getting greater. Plus, given our proximity to Washington, government contracting will continue to play a major role in revving our region’s economic engine. Yes, technology (in broad terms) is driving the growth of our country.

Regionally, our unemployment rate is already significantly lower than the national average. Now, throw in a few new ingredients to the mix, like BRAC, cyber security and bio parks, and the short-term future is bright.
This explains why the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology & Science index (which ranks states in the best position to succeed in the tech-led information age) ranked Maryland No. 2 in the country.

Recent activity suggests that the tech industry is ready to flourish in Maryland in 2010.  We ended the year with TeleCommunications Systems acquiring three (THREE) companies within 45 days and Millennial Media, in a historically tough venture market, taking in $16 million in new funding. And we’re only 21 days into the new year and already, more great news.  Last week the Governor released the CyberSecurity report which will position Maryland to be the hub for federal, academic and private-sector cybersecurity efforts and Judy Britz was named Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center - which is great news for our state’s bioscience community.  Throw in today’s announcement that Martek Biosciences purchased Amerifit Brands for $200…IN CASH…and yes, I’d say our region’s tech industry is alive and well!!

Stay tuned…more good news is coming.

Clinical Trials & Surveys Corp. (C-TASC), a clinical trials solutions company, announced today it has hired Robert E. Kaplan, MHA as chief information officer. As CIO, Bob Kaplan will be the head of information technology within C-TASC as well as oversee the development of the company’s clinical trial management system (CTMS) software, scheduled for public release in 2010.

By Steve Kozak:
Good news keeps rolling in for the tech sector…

Today, we learn that G.1440 was acquired by a division of Constellation Software.   This is, as Larry Fiorino, G.1440’s President and Founder, mentioned in their release, truly great news for Baltimore.  Not only will this bring more jobs to Baltimore, it further demonstrates that technology is alive and well in our region. 

In fact, The Daily Record reported (Dec 22) that “while the largest economic downtown since the Great Depression has devastated many in Maryland, the IT industry…is growing…adding 4,000 jobs since October 2008, an increase of 6.5%.”  We added more jobs in this sector than every other state except Virginia and, as of today, Maryland has the fifth most tech jobs in the nation. 

And today, the Baltimore Business Journal reported that venture-backed companies generated $17.1 billion in liquidity in 2009, with 44% of that being generated in the 4th quarter…setting the stage for an active year in M&A in 2010. 

Today’s acquisition of G.1440 is just the start.  Stay tuned…there’s more on the way – both acquisitions and great news from our technology sector.  2010 is looking bright indeed!

In December, our friend Dave Sherman came out and gave a short session to GBTC members on how to improve their 30 second pitch.  It was such a success we asked him to capture it on video - you can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6d6X9qVxlY