Dear Reader,
As we embark upon this month of holidays and festivities, I wish you time, rest, and the comforts of friends and family. I also hope that, as you look back upon 2019, you recognize and celebrate the wins that you experienced throughout the year and also note the failures. As we teach our clients, failures are really an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to evolve.
Our successes here at the Innovation Center in 2019 have been numerous. Most notably, we were proud to be named the
Incubator of the Year and to assist in the growth of many companies - most notably,
RXQ Compounding. We look forward to many more opportunities in 2020 to continue to foster a vibrant economy in Southeast Ohio and to build businesses and change lives.
Cheers,
P.S. - please be reminded as the end of the year approaches that you can now donate to the Innovation Center. You can give a gift
here.
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TechGROWTH Ohio Wins $5.05M Third Frontier Award
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TechGROWTH Ohio, Ohio University’s Ohio Third Frontier entrepreneurial services provider, has been awarded $5.05 million by the state in a competitive funding process for venture development services. The grant will be matched by Ohio University and private organizations, allowing TechGROWTH to continue and expand services through 2022.
TechGROWTH Ohio, which is led and managed by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, has developed an expansive network of executives and entrepreneurs-in-residence and strategic partners to identify and assist aspiring new companies and entrepreneurs throughout the region, along with new venture capital and technology commercialization partners like the Ohio Innovation Fund and I-Corps@Ohio.
At Ohio University, institutional collaborators include: Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, College of Business, Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation Center, Technology Transfer Office and Edison Biotechnology Institute. Regional partners include Shawnee State University, Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center, Belmont County Community Improvement Corporation and others.
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Innovation Center Achievement Highlighted
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Our thanks to
ohiotoday
, especially to reporter Mary Reed and photographer Ellee Achten, for the piece on the Innovation Center's national accolades, economic impact metrics, and entrepreneurial support services. Reed notes that it is highly unusual for a tech-based incubator to be operated by an all-female team; when asked about it, director Stacy Strauss gave a simple explanation. Click below to read the article in full.
Photo by Ellee Achten
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Innovation Center Space Available Now
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The Innovation Center has two
wet labs available for early-stage companies that want to grow. Ideal for life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and analytical chemistry startups, our clients also get access to two well-equipped shared labs and benefit from our full-time, onsite lab director. Plus, we offer one-on-one business
coaching,
negotiated cost-savings, and connections to our vast network of experts and resources necessary to scale a venture. Click below to find out more about becoming a client.
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What Positions Does Your Startup Need to Fill?
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Who do you need surrounding you as your startup begins to grow?
TechOhio, the voice of the Ohio Third Frontier, asked Erin Rennich, Innovation Center client services manager and executive coach, to share the advice that she gives to early-stage startups who are trying to answer that same question. “It’s rare that a startup has the resources to hire talent to fill every role, so they tend to start with a flat and fluid structure that leans on team members to fill a multitude of roles,” said Rennich. “The catalyst for a tech-based startup is generally a founder who is a passionate innovator, engineer or scientist with the next great idea.”
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Innovative Prototype 3D Printed at the IC
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With the help of the Innovation Center's Additive Manufacturing Lab, Babatope Ayeni has been working on a prototype for his innovative
KidBiotic Straws. The patented product was originally conceived as a milk sweetener but efforts are underway to launch a probiotic version aimed at boosting children’s immune systems. The straw and pod duo can also carry vitamins and other over the counter liquid nutraceuticals.
Ayeni used the Objet350 Connex 3D Printer, the most sophisticated, precision printer in the region, to develop his prototype. While continuing to refine the design, he plans to share the prototype with potential clients and investors to garner interest in his novel product.
"It is relatively affordable to print at the Innovation Center and the work is always completed on time. Communication with Misa has been fluid, she ensures that any changes are implemented without delay," said Ayeni.
To learn more about the prototype design and printing services available through the Additive Manufacturing Lab, click below.
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Tap into $3 Billion in Potential Funding
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Join Ohio's University's Procurement Technical Assistance Center and APEX to learn how to tap into sizable funding opportunities. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide over $3 billion in early stage funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas such as unmanned systems, advanced materials, health, cybersecurity and defense. Plus, learn about changes in the Air Force's APEX program and how to pursue opportunities with them though SBIR/STTR.
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Date:
December 4
Time:
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Innovation Center
340 West State Street
Athens
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ACEnet Holiday Open House
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You're invited to ACEnet's 3rd Annual Holiday Open House for an evening of shopping, sampling, and socializing.
This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to enjoy some local food, wine, and holiday shopping, while learning about ACEnet's impact in the region.
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Date:
December 10
Time:
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location:
ACEnet
94 Columbus Road
Athens
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Customer VALIDation Workshop
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Do you want to get your business idea in front of customers without wasting time or money? Join Erin Rennich, Innovation Center Executive Coach and Certified Strategyzer Facilitator, for the Customer VALIDation Workshop to gain the knowledge and skills to identify and reach potential customers to get valuable feedback on your business idea.
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Date:
December 11
Time:
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location:
Innovation Center
340 West State Street
Athens
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News & Events from Our Partners
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QuickBooks Level 1
Marietta
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Social Media Marketing
Lancaster
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BOSS Class
St. Clairsville
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The Ohio University Innovation Center (IC) provides valuable business incubation resources to fuel the economy in Athens, Ohio and the surrounding region. The IC is the recipient of the 2019 Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year Award (InBIA) and the 2019 Rural-Based Entrepreneurship Center of the Year Award (InBIA). The center was ranked the third best University-Based Incubator in the U.S. (UBI Global Ranking 2015-2017), was named the 2016 Rural Incubator of the Year (InBIA).
Our 36,000 square foot building has both lab and office space available.
For details, please give us a call at (740) 593-1818.
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The Ohio University Innovation Center provides valuable business incubation resources to fuel the economy in Athens, Ohio and the surrounding region. Your gift supports our mission to connect entrepreneurs with the people and resources needed to grow businesses and create jobs in Southeast Ohio.
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Support for the Innovation Center is provided by TechGROWTH Ohio through funding provided by the Ohio Third Frontier Commission.
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