Bill would create state business portal
The General Assembly”™s Commerce Committee approved legislation that would create an online business portal for the Connecticut secretary of state, allowing businesses to file forms electronically and connect them with other resources such as financing options.
The measure moves on to the legislative finance committee; if approved there, it must still be voted upon by the assembly and approved by the governor, who has advocated that economic development tools be consolidated at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, rather than spread across agencies.
“This is a great first step towards transforming the business registry function of the secretary of ”¦ state”™s office into an online vehicle to connect entrepreneurs with needed services and funding, and to simplify the process of starting a business,” Denise Merrill, Connecticut secretary of state, said in a statement. “Over the long term, our office could ”¦ become a storehouse of much needed economic data that could be a valuable resource to policymakers and those looking at establishing or expanding their business in Connecticut.”
ICN raises $1M
Intelligent Clearing Network Inc. has raised $1 million in venture capital funding, with the New Canaan-based company developing online software that clears coupons and other incentives at the point of sale.
Investors included the state-backed Connecticut Innovations Inc., LaunchCapital, Early Stage Partners, and W. Wynne L.P.
Intelligent Clearing Network”™s system is designed to eliminate coupon fraud and mis-redemptions.
New postage service in the clouds
Pitney Bowes Inc. launched pbSmartPostage, which the Stamford-based company said is the industry”™s first mailing and shipping service that uses cloud technology to enable businesses to apply postage to letters and shipping labels and packages directly from any PC with an Internet connection.
Pitney Bowes is targeting the offering at businesses with smaller volume shipping needs and remote locations, and promised additional products under the pbSmartPostage brand.
