A Gathering of Vision, Innovation, and Community
On October 9, 2025, Vermont’s business community will converge for the annual Vermont Biz 2 Biz Expo, a one-day powerhouse event hosted under the theme “Bringing the Future of Business in Vermont: Together | Towards | Tomorrow.”
More than just a networking opportunity, the Expo serves as a meeting point for ideas, industries, and innovators — from traditional Vermont enterprises to emerging startups reshaping the business landscape in the Green Mountain State.
This year’s event bridges Vermont’s legacy of craftsmanship and community with a forward-looking vision centered on sustainability and economic resilience. As the state balances its rural heritage with the demands of a digital economy, the Biz 2 Biz Expo stands as the event of the year for businesses to connect, collaborate, and challenge assumptions about what comes next.
For background on how AI is transforming Vermont industries, including hospitality and tourism, see AI in Vermont’s Hospitality Industry Model.
A One-Day Business Event with Year-Round Impact
The Vermont Biz 2 Biz Expo has long been regarded as the premier business event in the state, and this year’s edition aims to be its most dynamic yet.
Keynotes, workshops, startup showcases, and other sessions will empower entrepreneurs to adapt to shifting market forces. Where many expos focus on transactions, Vermont’s event emphasizes authentic relationships and collaboration — hallmarks of its business culture.
By connecting agriculture, green energy, manufacturing, and technology, the event fosters cross-sector innovation. “Business in Vermont thrives when we come together — not just to sell, but to share,” one organizer explains. “This expo isn’t about what’s trending nationally; it’s about how Vermont defines its own path forward.”
The Startup Scene: Burlington’s Growing Pulse
No discussion of Vermont’s business future is complete without Burlington’s thriving startup community, which continues to attract investors and innovators across New England.
To explore how Burlington continues to serve as Vermont’s innovation hub, check out 2024 Tech Jam in Burlington, Vermont, a key event showcasing the region’s growing tech scene.
This collaboration reinforces a powerful message: Vermont isn’t just for small business — it’s a proving ground for purpose-driven startups.
The Technology Gap in the Green Mountain State
George Schildge, founder and CEO of MatrixLabX and PrescientIQ, offers a contrarian yet constructive critique of Vermont’s technology landscape. His view challenges the notion that Vermont’s small-business DNA is incapable of scaling or innovating.
“Vermont has all the raw ingredients for a thriving startup ecosystem — creativity, community, and capital discipline — but it’s missing the connective tissue,” Schildge says. “There’s a reluctance to embrace technology at the speed the rest of the world is moving.”
In his analysis, Vermont’s economy tells a story of untapped potential. While states like Massachusetts and New York have invested heavily in innovation infrastructure, Vermont’s fragmented support systems leave entrepreneurs navigating a complex terrain alone.
“We do not have the talent, we have the technology — we need both digital and cultural — to compete,” Schildge adds.
For insight into how Vermont can bridge this digital gap, see Vermont AI Marketing, which explores AI-driven strategies for local businesses.
A Contrarian Lens on Vermont’s Tech Economy
Schildge’s view isn’t pessimistic — it’s realistic and rooted in Vermont values. He believes the state’s small size and community focus give it a competitive advantage for purpose-driven innovation.
“We’re not Silicon Valley, and that’s our advantage,” Schildge says. “We can build sustainable companies that prioritize impact over scale.”
Still, he warns against complacency. Vermont’s lagging broadband infrastructure, limited venture capital, and dependence on tourism and agriculture could stifle its next generation of innovators unless decisive steps are taken.
His prescription is simple: embrace technology as a tool to enhance Vermont’s values, not erase them.
For a broader look at the rising wave of entrepreneurs driving this evolution, explore Top Vermont Startups 2025.
Economic Context: A Crucial Year for Vermont’s Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
2025 marks a turning point for Vermont’s small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). After years of navigating inflation, labor shortages, and supply-chain disruptions, many are transitioning from survival to strategic growth.
The state’s economy has shown modest recovery, but persistent challenges remain: high operational costs, workforce scarcity, and limited digital adoption.
At the same time, new opportunities are emerging through state initiatives in green energy, community broadband, and technology innovation. Programs like the Vermont Community Broadband Board and Vermont Innovation Hub are connecting rural enterprises to the digital economy.
The Expo will feature hands-on sessions addressing these critical issues — from AI-powered operations and digital transformation for SMBs to sustainability-driven supply chains and remote workforce strategies.
The Future of Work in Vermont
As Vermont redefines its business identity, the future of work takes center stage.
Remote work and hybrid models have transformed the labor landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges. The Expo will explore how businesses can leverage technology, coworking spaces, and collaboration tools to attract top talent while preserving Vermont’s distinct work-life balance.
To see how local creativity and business intersect, check out South End Arts and Business Association (SEABA), which exemplifies how Vermont’s artistic and entrepreneurial communities can coexist and thrive.
Technology as a Force for Local Prosperity
In alignment with Schildge’s philosophy, the Expo positions technology as a multiplier of Vermont’s core values.
Platforms like MatrixLabX and PrescientIQ illustrate how AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and autonomous marketing can empower small businesses to compete globally.
“Technology adoption without strategy is just noise,” Schildge reminds us. “What Vermont needs are digital mentors — organizations that help translate innovation into measurable outcomes.”
For Vermont business owners, this means using technology not just for efficiency but for purpose — from eco-conscious supply chains to community-based AI marketing models.
Community and Collaboration Over Competition
At its heart, the Vermont Biz 2 Biz Expo celebrates community-driven progress. Vermont’s economic ecosystem thrives not on competition, but on collaboration and shared purpose.
The event culminates in a networking reception honoring businesses that embody Vermont’s spirit of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Here, success is measured not just in growth metrics but in impact — on people, communities, and the environment.
Looking Ahead: Together | Towards | Tomorrow
As Vermont stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation, the Vermont Biz 2 Biz Expo 2025 calls its business community to action.
The convergence of small-town enterprise and global startup energy is more than a moment — it’s a movement toward a smarter, more connected Vermont.
For George Schildge and others leading this dialogue, the challenge is to reconcile Vermont’s local-first ethos with global digital realities. The opportunity lies not in replicating Silicon Valley, but in forging a Vermont model of innovation — one grounded in integrity, resilience, and collaboration.
Together. Towards. Tomorrow.
