INCUBATORS

 

a. Feasibility Studies. Like other consultants, GCGI performs assessments of

            whether or not an incubator will work in a particular community or

            area.  Unlike other consultants, GCGI uses its proprietary model that

            makes it easier to identify a community's strengths and weaknesses in

            terms of supporting a successful incubator. We've performed over 40

            feasibility studies for technology and mixed-use incubators and 

            incubator networks.

 

b. Business Plans.  If a feasibility study says an incubator will succeed in a     community, you still need to draw a "road map" of how to get from here to     the point that you have an operating incubator. GCGI provides thorough     business plans for our clientele that include important factors such as     marketing plans, tenant entrance and exit criteria, financial projections,     and job descriptions for the incubator manager and support staff.

c. Concepts Plans.  Sometimes a client wants to know the pros and cons

            (including financial viability) of several different incubator scenarios

            that differ by location, size, market focus, or governance.  GCGI can

            prepare concept plans that describe several alternative scenarios, and

            then offer an analysis of those alternatives.   We also can ask

            community leaders to "vote" for their favorite scenario so that the

            level of political and business support for a particular incubator

            scenario can be identified.

 

d. Design Critiques. Okay, so the architect has drawn a floor plan for the

            incubator,  but is it a good one? How well does it utilize the space, and

            is it conducive to tenant interaction?  Will it cause you headaches

            because it is difficult to secure, mixes incompatible uses, or is

            "maintenance intensive?"  Or maybe the architect hasn't started yet,

            and  you just want to develop a list of criteria to give to him or her

            before they do. GCGI can help.

 

e. Assessment of Operating Incubators. If you already have an incubator

            but aren't sure it is doing as well as it might, GCGI would be pleased

            to perform an operational assessment and make recommendations for

            any changes or improvements that we think would make your incubator

            more successful.

 

 

f. Other. We get all sorts of special requests from incubator managers or

            developers. One was a  non-profit organization who wanted a second 

            opinion on an incubator feasibility study and business plan provided by

            a nearby university. Another wanted us to brainstorm about ownership

            options for a new incubator. And we always hear from folks who want

            advice in working with a board of directors. 

 

Incubator Training

GCGI has been involved in incubator education since our days with LAEDC when we put together that first national incubator conference in April 1984. Since then, we've been involved in a variety of training activities, primarily sponsored by the Incubator Industry's trade association, the National Business Incubation Association. (NBIA).

1. Fall Training Institutes (FTIs). Originally called the Regional Training

    Institutes, these are annual, three day intensive workshops sponsored by the

    NBIA.  GCGI was part of the initial team of industry leaders who developed

    and taught the FTI's.   More recently, we have co-taught "Mod 1" of the 

    FTI, designed for those who are developing (or at least pondering)  their 

    first incubator.  And in 1998, GCGI developed and offered for the first 

    time a new "Mod   2, " which is a very  interactive workshop for

    experienced incubator managers and others interested in incubator 

    management issues. In the last several years, GCGI has offered FTI

    workshops on "Rural/Small Town Incubator Feasibility Analysis", and

    "Self Assessment of Your Incubator".   For more information about the

    FTI, check the NBIA website at http://nbia.org/. 

 

2. Annual NBIA Conference. Like the title implies, it's the big conference that

    NBIA puts on  each spring. GCGI has been a speaker at every NBIA annual

            conference  since 1989,  including co-teaching the pre-conference session

            on incubator feasibility analysis. Our presentations have focused on leases,

            tenant relations, cash flow projections, creative revenue sources, and 

            (of course) the SBIR/STTR programs. Again, for more info on the annual

            conference, check the  NBIA website at http://nbia.org/. 

 

3. Special Events. GCGI is a strong believer in the economic and community

            development value of a well-organized and executed incubator program. 

    We also believe that incubators are not a panacea for every economic woe

    of a community or region.  Because of this balanced perspective, we have

    been asked to make incubator overview presentations to interested groups,

    and have helped  clients develop and refine their own presentations. Many 

    of our consulting projects have included community presentations regarding

    a proposed incubator, and we   have spoken to city and county commissions

    about incubators that they are funding. We are interested in speaking with

    you about your special event -- give us a holler at  g-jgreenwood@att.net  

    and tell us what you're thinking about.

 

4. Documents:  Of course, it's possible to learn from literature as well as      workshop and conferences. GCGI offers several brochures that we'd be      happy to send to you upon your request:

a. Some Advice on Partnering with a Consultant on Your

              Incubator Project

b. A Quantitative Approach to the Feasibility Assessment

              of a Business Incubator

c. 25 Creative Ways to Generate Revenue in an Incubator

d.  Common Mistakes In Incubator Feasibility Studies