Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 1

Transcription

1 USC Columbia Technology Incubator Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 1

2 Incubator History 1997: Research committee study on Economic Development concluded that an Incubator should be established at USC to assist faculty to commercialize their Intellectual Property 1998: Founded in the USC College of Engineering and Computing 2001: Incubator moves to Downtown Columbia into 5,000 Sq ft. 2004: The city of Columbia made a 40,000 sq ft building available for the USC/Columbia technology Center. 2006: Incubator moves to 1225 Laurel Street. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 2

3 Lobby Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 3

4 Overview The USC/Columbia Technology Incubator is a resource program for emerging technology based companies in their developmental stages The Incubator provides resources including cost-effective space and support, prototype manufacturing facilities, product realization and development services and business consultation. Interaction with the University of South Carolina, Benedict College, Allen University, Columbia College and/or Midlands Technical College is fostered and encouraged, with such resources as student interns, faculty and staff expertise, research and development facilities and business management expertise available. Our objective is to provide real-world experience for faculty, staff, and students in curricular innovation, research, and technology development. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 4

5 Three Programs STA DARD PROGRAM For individuals (or teams of people) interested in starting a technology company. STUDE T PROGRAM For USC or Midlands Technical College undergraduate or graduate students interested in starting a company. LA DI G PARTY PROGRAM Companies anywhere who wish to move (or open a subsidiary) in Columbia, SC and need the help of the Universities or Colleges located in the Midlands. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 5

6 Admission Criteria Need to use faculty, staff or students of the universities or colleges in the Midlands. Facilities of these institutions must be used on a non-interference basis. Company is a technology company (exception student company) Company has a business plan Company pays rent (exception- student companies) Company should graduate from program in three years Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 6

7 Objectives To promote, stimulate, and support economic development in the Columbia Region, and the South Carolina Midlands. To focus on emerging technology-driven companies, corporate spin-offs, faculty owned companies and non-south Carolina and international firms. To provide a broad scope of services including cost-effective space and support, prototype manufacturing facilities, product realization and development services, and business consulting. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 7

8 Objectives - cont. To stimulate interaction with the universities and colleges of the Midlands such as student interns, faculty & staff expertise, unique research and development facilities and business management. To provide real-world experience for faculty, staff and students in curricular innovation, research, and technology development. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 8

9 Service Offering Business consulting Technical consulting Master agreements Lab access Administrative assistance, reception Translation services Foreign languages available: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Croatian, Romanian, Hungarian, Russian, Hindi, Punjabi. Conference/meeting rooms, break rooms, mail room Internet connections, phone, fax & copy. Access to Service Provider Network Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 9

10 Tactics Getting the right help at the right time Business access Getting USC access the right place at the right time Helping each other-conversations at the water cooler Panels made up of advisors to critique business every six months Having access to industry specific advisors Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 10

11 Scorecard Jobs created: 723 Minority jobs created: 210 Partnership with Midlands Technical College 66 companies are presently in the USC/Columbia Technology incubator companies will be admitted to the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator in graduate companies According to the Impact of Incubator Investments Study, 87% of the companies that started in an Incubator are still in business after 5 years. The USC/Columbia Technology Incubator s survival rate is 89%. Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 11

12 Financial Support Financial support has been given by Corporate partners (e.g. BB&T, SCANA) Government Partners (e.g. The State of South Carolina, Columbia, Richland, and Lexington Counties) Educational Institutions (e.g. USC, MTC, Benedict, Columbia, Allen ) Private Partners (e.g. Tomlin & Company, Inc.) Capturing the Spirit of Technology Innovation 12