NBIA Publication Examines Technology Business Incubation

September 2, 2003

Contact:
Meredith Erlewine, NBIA Director of Publications
740-593-4331; merlewine@nbia.org

ATHENS, OHIO-The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) today announced the release of Incubating Technology Businesses: A National Benchmarking Study, a publication based on a yearlong analysis of U.S. technology business incubation programs.

In the 2001-2002 study, an industry research team organized by NBIA examined the make-up and performance of technology incubators across the country to determine the characteristics key to high-performing programs. Seventy-nine programs participated in the study, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Technology Policy.

“Business incubators play an integral role in supporting and accelerating the growth of technology companies across the country,” said Dinah Adkins, president and CEO of NBIA and a lead author of the publication. “This study was designed to identify the factors that can help build strong, well-informed programs to help these companies grow, creating jobs and generating wealth for local economies.”

A major purpose of the benchmarking effort was to initiate ongoing data collection and peer comparisons that will promote better incubator performance. According to Adkins, the benchmarking study was not intended to be a one-time effort. “We began with just technology incubators,” she said. “Ideally, subsequent studies of technology incubators will allow researchers to refine the methodologies. Once those methodologies are perfected, we could launch a full-scale benchmarking effort for the entire North American incubation industry.”

Business incubation programs catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful. In 2001 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 35,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for nearly 82,000 workers and generated earnings of more than $7 billion.

Incubating Technology Businesses: A National Benchmarking Study describes community and locational factors that can contribute to technology business incubation success, presents data on most- and least-utilized technology incubation client services and provides case studies of best-in-class technology incubation programs. Filled with charts, graphs and tables, the publication is based on data collected from technology business incubation programs and interviews with top-performing incubators identified in the study.

The National Business Incubation Association is the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Since 1985, NBIA has provided industry professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies.

For more information or to purchase Incubating Technology Businesses: A National Benchmarking Study, contact NBIA, 20 E. Circle Drive #37198, Athens, Ohio 45701-3571; telephone: (740) 593-4331; fax: (740) 593-1996; or visit NBIA’s online bookstore, www.nbia.org/bookstore, to place secure orders. Price is $32 for NBIA members and $42 for nonmembers.