[orange2323]

Here in Lincoln there has been a recent startup of a place called The Turbine Flats Project which is a non-profit that renovated an old factory to have a bunch of spaces for start up and small businesses. The big idea is that the design encourages the tenants to get together and share their successes and solutions. Periodically they bring in marketing experts, lawyers, accountants, hr folks to help point the start ups in the right direction for more information (like licensing or market research).

Is anything like this going out there? It seems like a good way to build local economies through giving startups access to information and through having people in the office space next to you that may have gone through some of the investment hoops that you are trying to figure out. The guys behind it are Matthew Wegener and Colby Thomson who both have software companies. They had shared office space and found that having someone across the hall who was in the same boat helped both of their businesses.

Definitely a cool idea. Turbine Flats just opened up. I would love to see if this is going on elsewhere in the entrepreneurship world.

Thanks for any places you can point me where this is being done.

Best of luck in your endeavors!

B

[akula]

sure..
in sydney we have the australian tech park
it's a refitted railway yard housing over 300 high tech startups
great place

[akula]

btw: here's the global directory for business incubators
Links to Member Incubators - NBIA
and these are the registered incubators in nebraska:
OSBN - Omaha Small Business Network, Inc.
Southeast Community College - Entrepreneurship
University of Nebraska Technology Park™ | Incubator Purpose

[orange2323]

Thanks for the response. I am familiar with much of the local incubators/tech parks. The University here in Lincoln is trying to get legislative approval to invest in a larger R&D park (300+ acres) more like the research triangle in N. Carolina.

The local public schools also have focus programs for high school students in their own facilities. There is a science program at the zoo, an arts and humanities program in a repurposed old warehouse, a tech focus in the downtown area, most recently an entrepreneurship focus program located at the Southeast Community College Facility and works in conjunction with SCC entrepreneurship program.

[rogercbryan]

Interesting…. I do non-profit fundraising.. I wonder if I could get involved with something like this.

[akula]

rog, biz incubators aren't non for profits
if you talk to nbia memebers you'll find that hurdle rates of 20-30% are the key to sucess.
..umm..it's a bad example to run a business incubator and not be able to make a dollar in the process..

[akula]

Originally Posted by orange2323

Thanks for the response. I am familiar with much of the local incubators/tech parks.

orange, why did you ask for the links if you're already "familiar with much of the local incubators/tech parks"?

[usakos]

we have TechColumbus here in Columbus, Ohio, which houses many tech companies including the GoBigMedia.

[Cole Taylor]

There's a place down the road called TechSpace. Huge space, but I dont know if they take the role of an incubator. Essentially, it's executive suites for young companies.

[rogercbryan]

I’ve spent years making money for The Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Goodwill. I’ve been thinking about starting my own 501(c)3. I tried to do a program for the Cleveland City School District but navigating their bureaucracy was impossible. Before I put any more thought into this I’d like some advice (legal, logistical, and sustainability).

Could I start a 501(c)3 (non-profit) in the City of Cleveland (OH) that raised money for business incubation? If I was to raise money and then give it to start-ups (grants, loans, subsidies) could the 501(c)3 take any ownership in the companies? This almost sounds like a non-profit VC company. I know in some ethnic communities there are programs somewhat like this to help people start businesses……. Ok…. Any advice? Is this legal?

With all the projects I’m working on this may be too much for me right now… but its worth thinking about.