The Hawaii Venture Capital Association is endorsing Democrat Neil Abercrombie in his run for governor.

The business group representing the interests of the state’s $3.5 billion technology industry said yesterday that the former congressman would help Hawaii diversify its economy.

Abercrombie told the association earlier this month he would create a technology council to oversee his innovation agenda, and appoint a chief information officer to modernize the state’s technology systems.

His Democratic rival for governor, former Mayor Mufi Hannemann, had sought the group’s endorsement based on his executive experience in upgrading the city’s technology systems.