A man who grew up in Newtown and founded a billion-dollar tech company is being honored next month by Western Connecticut State University.  Austin McChord, the founder and CEO of Norwalk-based Datto Inc., has been named as the Macricostas Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ancell School of Business Dean David Martin says McChord has built a rapidly growing and highly innovative company that provides comprehensive data backup, recovery and business continuity services.  He founded the company in 2007.  Recognized for three consecutive years by the business magazine Inc. as one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the United States, Datto posted year-over-year sales growth exceeding 50 percent and expanded into European and Pacific Asian markets during 2015.

McChord’s corporate leadership has earned prestigious recognitions including selection as one of Forbes magazine’s “30 under 30” top young entrepreneurs.

Western will honor McChord on October 5th.