Page 123 - Innovation Delaware 2019

INNOVATION BY SECTOR
At the same time, Delaware’s state government is focused on fostering technology growth. One of the center- pieces of that strategy is a drive to bring broadband access to even the most rural areas of Delaware, an initiative spear- headed by Delaware CIO James Collins. The work is starting to show results, as 98% of Delawareans now have access to broadband, according to national advocacy group Broadband Now. Broadband access is generally considered a crucial first step in fostering rural tech entrepreneurship.
STARTUPS BRING FRESH IDEAS
Some of Delaware’s startups have gone on to be national success stories. Take DeliveryCircle, a same-day
SANTOSH VISWANATHAN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY by the Numbers
11,953
The number of critical and high-security vulnerabilities reduced by IT professionals at the University of Delaware in 2018.
$1.3
Million
The amount of tax dollars committed to ensuring all of rural Delaware will have high-speed internet access by 2020
$106,730
The average annual salary for a software/app developer in Delaware
SOURCE: DELAWARE ONLINE; UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ANNUAL REPORT, FY 2018; U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
delivery platform that launched at the New Castle County Emerging Enterprise Center in 2014 and today has a presence in 19 states. Last summer, DeliveryCircle raised an undisclosed Series A amount to support its continued growth.
Another exciting newcomer is NerdIT Now, which provides affordable repair ser- vices of computers, phones, tablets and con- soles through both its storefront and a mo- bile repair truck. Founded by Wilmington
native Markevis Gideon, NerdIT Now also gives back to the community through its own NerdIT Foundation, which donates more than 100 computers a year to nonprofits and community centers.
Leading Edge Ventures’ Jeff Davison looks at the IT landscape and doesn’t hesitate to pick an area that is on the move.
INDUSTRIES BENEFIT FROM TECH
INFUSION
INNOVATION DELAWARE 121
,JOE DEL TUFO/MOONLOOP PHOTOGRAPHY