Services
Our program at the Innovation Connector offers office space, administrative help, advisory services, and access to a network of business leaders that provide the highest degree of service to help your business succeed. In addition to standard incubator services, the Connector provides a range of services via a comprehensive business assistance program by selecting the help best fitting client needs, including:
- Needs Assessment that helps clients develop and implement a systematic process for assessing the company needs, but maintains the flexibility to adapt to the changing environments in early-stage ventures.
- Coaching and Facilitation on a regularly scheduled basis which provides client oversight and support as they make use of program resources.
- Client Benchmark provides the necessary support to help clients in goal-setting, assessment, and change that help in meeting milestones.
- Preferred Providers offer formal networks of expertise for clients of the Innovation Connector often at greatly reduced fees.
- Mentors from businesses and organizations will readily reinforce their business knowledge through one-on-one interactions that allow a deep understanding of the intricacies of the client business operations.
- Advisory Boards offer a solid consultative structure during the early stages of development that allows clients to receive expert guidance, reinforcement, and leadership until a formal board of directors is established.
CLIENT NETWORKING is a huge benefit that develops synergy and allows a free flow of information among the incubator residents. Informal common gathering places and formal structured events are part of the Connector services.
CLIENT CAPITALIZATION AND FINANCING: The Innovation Connector will seek to develop both equity and debt financing resources for its clients. Equity capital efforts will include venture capital, angel investors, and corporate sources, and the encouragement of Federal and state funding support such as SBIR grants or 21st Century Fund Science and Technology Development and Commercialization awards. Debt capital services will seek liaison with capital networks and brokers, seed capital funds and others.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND COMMERCIALIZATION: The Innovation Connector recognizes that it must play a key role in the process of technology transfer and commercialization. There are key cultural differences among academic institutions, entrepreneurs and established businesses and capital formation specialists. It is important to recognize that conflicts of interest are likely, cannot be avoided but can be managed. Bringing together people of disparate backgrounds and expertise can go far to bridge these divides.
DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIALIZATION: A key role for the Innovation Connector is to develop a network of support and expertise which can be leveraged on behalf of incubator clients in such areas as technical support, BSU and BMH research resources, local industries, and the legal and financial communities.
