CTech Opens Third Connecticut Incubator

On July 18, 2010, Governor Jodi Rell announced the opening of the thirdCTech Business Incubator at UConn Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut.  This is a joint initiative between Connecticut Innovations (CI) and Connecticut’s Office of Technology Commercialization.  The incubator is intended to support startup activity in Connecticut, giving entrepreneurs resources and office space to help them get started.  Incubators also generally support the exchange of ideas among a community of start ups. 

The extension of the incubator is an indication of the State’s ongoing efforts to “spur the development of high-tech start ups, foster additional economic development, and stimulate job creation.”  Given the current state of the economy,it is an important recognition of the importance of the start up community to the State’s future.   According to the official press release, “The UConn Health Center incubator will focus on attracting participants from several key industry sectors – bioscience, medical devices and bio materials – as well as other science-, technology-, engineering- and math-based ventures.”  Although the funding priority would go towards UConn student or faculty ventures, the Incubator is also interested in potential ventures that are of interest to both UConn and CI.

This incubator will add to CTech’s existing locations in Connecticut.  The first was established in Science Park (of which Independent Software is an alumni), and the second at University of Bridgeport.  Recently, there have been reports among the start up communities of New Haven that the existing incubator at the Science Park is looking to expand to accommodate more entrepreneurs.  The expansion will allow the incubator to provide more room and resources to the New Haven start up community.

For all you entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners interested in finding a home for your dream, you should visit http://otc.uconn.edu/tip/how-to-apply/. Or contact:

· Rita Zangari, Executive Program Director, Technology Incubation, UConn, (860)486-3010 or rita.zangari@uconn.edu.

· Charles Moret, Managing Director, Business Development, CI, (860)257-2333 or charlie.moret@ctinnovations.com.