Thursday, May 8, 2025 Dear ITC Members and Newsletter Subscribers,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s State of Technology Conference—your energy, insights, and engagement made it a true success!
Looking ahead, don’t miss our next Spark Series session, Startup Launchpad: Building and Scaling Your Tech Venture, happening Thursday, May 15. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow, this conversation with founders and investors will be packed with strategies to help your startup thrive.
We’re also excited to host High Tech Connect at BSU on the last Tuesday of the month—come unwind, network, and meet fellow tech professionals in a casual setting. Plus, we’ll be in Moscow for an ITC Stakeholder Roundtable later this month—if you’re in North Idaho, we’d love to hear from you about how we can better support the region’s growing tech ecosystem.
Let’s keep Idaho’s tech momentum going strong!
"We love it when our friends become friends." Warm regards, Diane Bevan, President & CEO Betsy Davies, Operations Manager |
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ITC Hosts Annual Gathering for the State of Technology Event |
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On May 6th, the Idaho Technology Council (ITC) brought together more than 250 business, technology, and civic leaders for its 2025 State of Technology Luncheon, held at JUMP in downtown Boise. The sold-out, standing-room-only event celebrated innovation, investment, and the continued rise of Idaho’s technology sector. Board Gathering and Special Guests
The day began with 35 of ITC’s 50-member Board of Trustees gathering for one of their annual in-person meetings. They were joined by Idaho Governor Brad Little and Kelly Loeffler, the newly appointed 28th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, who both affirmed their support for ITC’s leadership in driving technology growth across the state. The ITC Board—comprising educators, tech leaders, and industry professionals—works collaboratively to support Idaho’s fast-evolving innovation economy.
Some of the luncheon program highlights included. . . READ MORE |
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INTRODUCING Nathan Foss, Account Executive, Lightcast DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION YOU WORK FOR:
Lightcast connects people with jobs by providing businesses, communities, and education institutions with the best labor market data possible. Our data-driven insight enables better, faster decisions. WHAT SETS THIS BUSINESS APART FROM OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY?
Lightcast prides itself in having the most robust selection of labor market data while also having the most accurate on the market. We combine traditional government labor market information with proprietary real-time labor market information to better understand where there are gaps in the workforce in terms of. . . READ MORE
CONNECT WITH NATHAN |
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INTRODUCING Jillana Finnegan, Executive Director of Strategic Projects, CWI DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION YOU WORK FOR: College of Western Idaho opened its doors as the Treasure Valley's first community college in 2007. Today, we serve over 30,000 students annually. CWI serves community members at any stage of life's path with these educational programs: -
Dual Credit: Get a head start on your college education, explore your interests, and save time and money while in high school.
- Academic Transfer: Build the right foundation for a career pathway or to transfer by earning an associate degree.
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Career & Technical: Engage in fast-paced, hands-on, and focused training to gain the competitive edge employers are seeking.
- Workforce Development: Rapidly acquire career-focused skills to facilitate employment, retrain, or advance in your career.
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Adult Education: Gain life-changing, essential skills to reach your goals and succeed, such as completing a GED or improving literacy skills.
WHAT SETS THIS BUSINESS APART FROM OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY? CWI change's the trajectory of lives for generations to come. We offer. . .
READ MORE
CONNECT WITH JILLANA |
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Layne Lewis: Breakout Speaker at the 2025 Idaho Small Business Contracting Symposium |
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ValorC3 Data Centers Announces 10MW Data Center in Boise, Idaho |
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ValorC3 Data Centers announces the company is set to break ground on a new data center in Boise. This will be Idaho’s most modern enterprise data center, paving the way for more AI-ready colocation and connectivity in Idaho. The facility will be the company’s second data center in Boise and its fourth overall across the U.S. The undertaking reinforces ValorC3’s ongoing investment in delivering modern colocation, cloud and connectivity solutions in one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology hubs.
The new Boise data center will deliver 10MW of capacity and feature the latest in sustainable building technology. Upon completion, the company will offer a total of 12MW of capacity in the market, enabling greater. . .
READ MORE |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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We are excited to announce the next panel of ITC's SPARK SERIES! |
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This is an educational initiative designed to strengthen Idaho’s tech ecosystem through monthly, expert-led online sessions.
Whether you're a tech professional, entrepreneur, or investor, the Spark Series offers the knowledge and connections needed to navigate and grow within Idaho’s evolving tech landscape. |
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Join us on May 15th, at 12pm MT |
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ITC Stakeholder Roundtable in Moscow, ID |
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Join us on May 27th, at 9:30 am MT |
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High-Tech Connect Networking at BSU! |
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Join us on May 27th, at 5 pm MT |
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Demystifying Tech - Hosted by QTex AI |
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This event is a great opportunity and we want to get the COMMUNITY INVOLVED There is no shortage of roles or opportunities to be part of this event. Whether it's becoming: a SPONSOR,
a PANELIST, a company that SHOWCASES their product, or a VOLUNTEER.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Every Tuesday from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST, SOFWERX provides a platform for Industry and Academia to showcase their innovative capabilities.
Participants have the opportunity to present their solutions in 30-minute time slots to USSOCOM and other interested government partners, fostering collaboration and potential partnerships. Don't miss this chance to share your expertise and connect with key decision-makers!
SIGN UP HERE |
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FedTech Startup Studio – Seeking Aspiring and Experienced Entrepreneurs |
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FedTech's Startup Studio connects breakthrough technologies from federal and university labs with driven entrepreneurs ready to bring them to market. Through an immersive, months-long program, participants are guided through the lean startup model while navigating the unique challenges of commercializing federally funded innovations. REGISTRATION INFORMATION HERE |
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Check out our new jobs page for ITC Members!
We would love to work with your recruiter to keep our tech talent in Idaho. |
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Apple's Safari revamp plan with AI search a likely blow to Google dominance
May 7, 2025 Reuters
Apple's plan to revamp its Safari web browser by adding AI-powered search options is a big blow to Google, whose shares tumbled as the move could strike at the heart of its lucrative search advertising business.
Apple executive Eddy Cue offered testimony at an antitrust case against Alphabet on Wednesday, saying the iPhone maker was "actively looking at" reshaping Safari, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Cue also said Apple would add AI search providers, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, as search options in the future, Bloomberg reported.
The commentary suggested that a seismic shift in search is around the corner and not years away, threatening Google's once impenetrable moat in the search business. . .
FULL ARTICLE HERE
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| The Algorithmic Tightrope and the Perils of Big Tech’s Dominance in AI By Rob Enderle // April 28, 2025 TechNewsWorld
The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence is both exhilarating and deeply concerning. The sheer power unleashed by these algorithms, largely concentrated within the coffers and control of a handful of tech behemoths — you know, the usual suspects, the ones who probably know what you had for breakfast — has ignited a global debate about the future of innovation, fairness, and even societal well-being.
The ongoing scrutiny and the looming specter of regulatory intervention are not merely bureaucratic hurdles; they are a necessary reckoning with the profound risks inherent in unchecked AI dominance. It’s like we’ve given a few toddlers the keys to a nuclear-powered Lego set, and now we’re all nervously watching to see what they build (or break). . .
FULL ARTICLE HERE
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| Microsoft protects Seattle-sized Washington forestland to help shrink its carbon footprint
By Lisa Stiffler // May 7, 2025
SciTech Daily
Microsoft signed a deal to protect a swath of Washington forest that’s bigger than the city of Seattle as a strategy for shrinking its carbon footprint.
The partnership with EFM will support climate friendly forestry practices on 68,000 recently acquired acres on the Olympic Peninsula, which is known for its towering temperate rainforests. The deal will provide Microsoft with 700,000 carbon credits over the next decade. The software and cloud company also used its Climate Impact Fund to invest in EFM Fund IV, marking the first time that Microsoft has used its climate investment dollars to support forestry practices. The two parties did not disclose the cost of the carbon credits or the amount invested.
Microsoft set a goal of becoming. . .
FULL ARTICLE HERE |
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NEW MEMBER ADVANTAGE PROGRAM (ITC MAP)! |
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What is the ITC MAP Our MAP program provides members of the ITC with discounts and member services for all your business needs! BIO Services Program
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is the first organization to contribute to this program. For no fee, ITC members can participate in the BIO Services Program. This is an amazing opportunity for those in the BioTech space or just looking for a cost-savings program to join! Interested in Contributing
Think you have a program that could benefit ITC members? If you are interested in contributing to the MAP program, please reach out to Diane Bevan at diane@idahotechcouncil.org for more information. Please note: you must be a member to participate or create a discount.
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GET INVOLVED WITH THE ITC |
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Interested in becoming more involved? Please consider joining the newly formed Idaho Technology Ambassador Committee, where you will have the opportunity to assist in planning and execution of events, meet new and existing members, and become the welcoming arm of the ITC.
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ADVERTISE IN ITC's TECHWIRE NEWSLETTER |
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TECHBRIDGE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM |
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Dear Tech Leaders,
We’re excited to introduce TechBridge, a new mentorship initiative by the Idaho Technology Council (ITC) in partnership with NATCAST. Our goal is simple: to connect Idaho’s tech students with experienced professionals like you, bridging the gap through mentorship, resources, and financial assistance. Through TechBridge, you’ll have the opportunity to guide aspiring tech talent—especially students from underrepresented, at-risk, and in-need backgrounds—by providing industry insights, professional connections, and access to essential financial resources. Why Become a TechBridge Mentor?
Idaho’s tech industry is growing fast, but many students face barriers to entering the field. We would love to have you as part of this program! Thank you for considering this opportunity to mentor and advocate for Idaho’s tech community. Your leadership will make a lasting impact! Best, ITC Team |
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2025 ITC PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES |
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ITC Board APPROVES 2025 Public Policy Priorities and urges Idaho elected officials to approve making Digital Literacy a HS graduation requirement. Visit our page to see more about our public policies. |
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