ABOUT BRIC
Nobody builds alone.
BRIC's work is powered by federal agencies, national foundations, Vermont institutions, and Springfield neighbors — the coalition behind rural Vermont's opportunity infrastructure.
The coalition, by role.
Federal Investment
The U.S. Economic Development Administration launched BRIC with a $1.4M i6 grant in 2018 and scaled it with a $3M Build to Scale award in 2022 — one of eight rural awards nationwide. The SBA added a $75K Growth Accelerator prize in 2025.
Foundations
The Siegel Family Endowment has invested since 2017. The Kauffman Foundation backed the launch; Dalio Philanthropies powered the SeedVT game-design program; M&T Charitable Foundation became VRmont Studios' first corporate sponsor.
Equipment Grants
White Mountains Capital funded the drone soccer arena. CSforAll granted the mobile VR arenas. The Endless Foundation sustains summer camps and game development programs.
Ecosystem Builders
The Center on Rural Innovation helped found BRIC and connects it to a national rural-tech network. GMEDC runs the Randolph hub; SRDC anchors regional development.
Academic Partners
Vermont State University (advanced manufacturing), Norwich University (advanced computing), Dartmouth's DALI Lab, and UVM VERSO bring university depth to a rural campus.
Technology Partners
NASA Goddard opens its technology-transfer portfolio to Actuator founders. VTel donated $240K in fiber internet and data services — the 10-gig backbone of the campus.
PARTNER WITH BRIC
Add your organization to this page.
Program partnerships, equipment grants, and corporate sponsorship — there's a seat at this table for institutions that believe in rural Vermont.
Partnership is the whole model.
From a $240K fiber donation to a $3M federal award — every partnership opens new doors and catalyzes new opportunities for rural Vermonters.