10 States Named Innovation Champions by Consumer Technology Association

Virginia

Home of the Dulles Technology Corridor, Virginia has a 447,470-person technology workforce. With its proximity to Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia especially has focused on developing its technology sector. The state also has strong business-friendly tax policies and no right-to-work legislation. However, CTA also notes that there isn’t a state law protecting against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Helping the state land on Innovation Champion list is its voluntary computer recycling program and lack of laws restricting self-driving cars or drone technology. The state has also legalized ride-sharing services and has positive municipal rules for home sharing.