STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Stamford’s proximity to one of the largest financial centers in the world and home to many alternative investment managers, Stamford CT and its region is an epicenter for capital, technology and talent. As the banking and financial services industry evolves, new technologies and initiatives in data processing, mobile banking, cyber security, block-chain and cloud-native computing are delivering better products and services. The region benefits from an organized effort to improve collaboration and investment. The Financial Technology Project is expected to garner input from private and public efforts, one of which is organized by G. A Baird & Company, a private investment and technology firm headquartered in Stamford CT. “We are excited about being involved and contributing. We see multiple benefits in these types of projects to promote awareness and develop new technologies,” says Gordon A. Baird, the founder of Baird & Company and former Chief Executive Officer of Independence Bancshares and a former Citigroup executive.
The project explores the needs and opportunities to expand modern banking infrastructures including cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence capabilities, complex event processing, cyber security, cryptography and functional programming. “Stamford is beginning to emerge as a center for innovation for financial technologies and media businesses. We are very interested in encouraging these types of initiatives and being involved,” explains Jackie Lightfield, the Executive Director of the Stamford Partnership, a 503(c) organization dedicated to promote and support area businesses and economic development. The project will include informal meet-ups, and presentations as well as potentially educational series and professional networking events. Eventually, the organizers hope to see new businesses emerge, new technologies created and a robust interconnected financial technological ecosystem develop. Sheelah Quinn, the general manager at Workpoint, a co-working space located in Stamford adds, “We would like to see Stamford’s collaborative business activities grow. We invested in a state of the art video production facility to promote and support these types of projects.” The project organizers envision a series of educational and community outreach programs. “The effort can lead to educational and training programs for recent graduates to learn valuable technical skills while expanding their professional networks. These skills are highly transferable and in demand across multiple industries and regions. It could act as a springboard for people seeking a career change or an opportunity to participate in better wages offered by the growing technology sector,” explains Mr. Baird. “There are opportunities to expand infrastructure investments to include education, student loan programs, small business finance, banking, and cyber security.” Mr. Baird is also a member of the board of directors of the Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund.
The project initiative is expected to be headquartered in Stamford CT and include participants throughout the New York metropolitan area.
About G. A. Baird Partners & Co
G. A. Baird Partners & Co (d/b/a Baird & Company) is a private investment, consulting and technology firm based in Stamford, Connecticut.
