Volume 5, Number 2     March/April 1997

  Technology Transfer

Business Incubator Aids Florida Community

FLORIDA BUSINESS INCUBATOR is another way for NASA to make its technological expertise available to budding small businesses. NASA has teamed up with Florida's Technological Research and Development Authority and Brevard Community College to provide new technology-based businesses a healthy environment in which to build a future.

The mission of the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (FNBIC) is to increase the number of successful technology-based small companies originating in, developing in or relocating to Brevard County. By offering affordable space and shared office equipment and services, the incubator makes it possible to reduce the costs associated with establishing and operating a business.

	The Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center's goal is to increase the number of successful technology-based small companies originating in, developing in or relocating to Brevard County. Open house guests learn more about some of the businesses already participating in the program.

"Our support facilities and programs will train and nurture entrepreneurs and help them have the best possible chance of success. Assisting technology-based entrepreneurs and small businesses at their infancy by offering office space at a reduced cost and providing appropriate seminars and guidance enhances the possibility of a business succeeding," said FNBIC Executive Director Maria Clark.

The incubator is providing a social benefit to Brevard County by encouraging technology-based small businesses to relocate to or stay on the Space Coast. Officials hope the incubator will offset impacts caused by federal agency downsizing.

The center's nearness to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) provides firms access to NASA expertise and laboratories. NASA's participation accelerates KSC's technology transfer mission. "Supporting small businesses with our high-technology infrastructure could lead to new products and jobs in Brevard County," said KSC Program Manager Kathleen Harer. "We encourage the tenants to mix and match with one another and provide support and work with one another."

Three businesses currently operate at the incubator, which opened August 6, 1996. The 10,000-square-foot facility can house up to 20 startup businesses and offers production space as well as offices. For an annual fee, the incubator also is open to offsite clients that are technology-based entrepreneurial companies. The offsite clients can attend seminars, workshops and gatherings at the incubator and have access to the center's common area, conference room, classrooms, audio visual equipment and select business services.

Current tenants are Mr. and Mrs. Brain, Infotech Systems, Inc., and American Services Technology, Inc. Offsite clients include Atlantic Research and Technologies, Inc., Coconut Telecomp, Inc., and SRS Technologies.

Harer said co-funding by Florida and Brevard Community College makes the project unique. Brevard Community College's in-kind contributions include the facility, security, utilities and maintenance support. Tenants also have access to the college's computer labs, library and shops.

For more information, contact
Maria Clark at the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center. Call 407/383-5200.
Or contact Kathleen Harer at Kennedy Space Center. Call 407/867-8035.
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.