How were the business clusters that the Incubator supports identified? What happens if a company wants to enter incubation that is not in one of the clusters?
Answer:
The three business clusters: IT product & service, Biomedical and Advanced Manufacturing were identified through analysis as three high growth potential core competencies in NE Indiana. These clusters were confirmed through extensive market and industry analysis combined with marketing research from Taylor University. If the business falls outside of these areas, and is still a technology related business, aligns positively within the value chain for other resident clients or the incubator and the programs at NIIC can benefit its business success then the business can enter the selection process. NIIC targets: existing small tech businesses in the industry wanting to go to the next level; employees of existing companies interested in establishing their own companies, potential spin-offs; students who want to be entrepreneurs; downsized employees looking to start a new business; professors with technologies that might be commercialized; people with good ideas and the commitment to incubation as a catalyst for growth.