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College campuses are ripe with innovation, as students grow through education and
experimentation in school. To help foster this innovation, many colleges and universities have
opened business incubators, helping students and others in their community to help make their
innovative dreams a reality. Whether theyre offering tricked-out labs or incredible funding
opportunities, these incubators offer a great opportunity for students who are smart (and lucky!)
enough to participate. Follow along as we explore 10 of the most exciting college business
incubators around today, and be sure to share your own favorites in the comments.

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At Rochester Institute of Technologys Simone Center, innovation is a way of life. The

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incubator gives students the chance to learn through experience with opportunities to
work through a business concept in the Student Business Lab, get involved with
startups, and take part in competitions and conferences for entrepreneurs. Some
dedicated students can even choose to live in a residential community called
Entrepreneurs Hall, which gives them access to co-ops, mentoring, courses, and
always-on access to the incubator. Undergrads looking for a strong start in creating a
business can minor in entrepreneurship, while MBA students can take
entrepreneurship as a concentration. With initiatives in social and digital
entrepreneurship, an intensive summer program for promising startups, and another
incubator for startups that are further along in the commercialization process, RIT
could be every young entrepreneurs dream.

At Boston University, theres an incredible array on business incubation opportunities.

Boasting resources for life sciences, bio-tech, medical devices, photonics, clean
energy, and engineering, BU can help to incubate businesses in just about any
physical technology. Only 15 technology startups are accepted at a time, but what
the program lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Participants in the incubation
program learn valuable lessons in entrepreneurial management, finding financing
from incubator companies, modern office space, and fully permitted labs with a wide
range of technical equipment and engineering resources. Boston Universitys
business incubator has produced numerous success stories, including HemaQuest
Pharmaceuticals with two drugs in Stage 2 clinical development to treat blood
disorders and viral-related cancers, as well as Modular Genetics, a biotechnology
company focused on sustainable gene engineering.

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Students at Syracuse University have an incredible resource to tap into with the
Syracuse Student Sandbox. This program offers resources from beginning to end,
offering office space, in-house technical support, experienced mentors, and valuable
funding resources. The Sandbox is designed to accelerate the process of business
creation through a 12-week experiential-based program, producing either
investment-ready firms or ready-to-go, revenue-generating entities. Although
Syracuse offers a heavy amount of help, students are able to maintain 100% equity
in their companies, making this a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded
Syracuse students. Current participants include Craftistas, CrowdRouser, and Flat
Shoes Tattoos.

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At the UC Davis College of Engineering, students with high-impact, innovative ideas
can find a way to speed them up into the marketplace. This incubator is all about
supporting technology transfer, sharing learning experiences with students, providing
professor support, and facilitating partnerships and collaborations with other groups
on campus, like the UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship. This year, the ETTC
graduated its first company, Dysonics, a startup based on audio technology research.
Dysonics secured $750,000 in funding from angel investors to develop products that
will reproduce three-dimensional, immersive sound in headphones.

At the Harvard i-lab, its all about innovation, as participants take part in
entrepreneurial activities to learn, launch, grow, and even support others in creation.
The program features classes, workshops, and more, plus essential resources and
advice for getting business ventures off the ground. Even established ventures can
get help, with growth resources including dedicated space and focused support.
Some of the i-labs long-term residents include mobile app ActivePepper, baby gear
rental company Baby Buggle, and software developer Rover.

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In partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Innovation Depot offers
a facility and program for technology business development, focusing on
biotechnology, life science, information technology, and technology service
businesses. With a next-generation facility offering both office space and laboratory
space full of amenities, its a great place to locate a technology startup. Successful
companies currently taking part in the Innovation Depot program include Panorama
Public Relations, R&D trainer Gas Technology Institute, and tech support company
Radical Support.

This business incubator takes innovation to the water, functioning as an economic

engine for Eastern Long Islands aquacultural, environmental, and agricultural
industries. The location of this incubator is key, as its right off of Long Island Sound
and located close to many nature preserves. Plus, its within a designated NYS
Empire Zone, so the incubator has benefits and incentives available to program
participants, including investment tax credits, wage tax credits, and even exemption
from sales tax. Within the building, youll find plenty of tricked-out lab space
(including both fresh and salt-water access) for innovation, plus conference and
event space for tenants.

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In the Motor City, technology startups can turn to the super-cool Tech Town incubator,
a program created by Wayne State University to reignite Detroits entrepreneurial
culture. Founded in 2000, Tech Town boasts an incredible list of resources for tech-
minded entrepreneurs, including work space, access to capital, educational
workshops, and guidance with business development programs, coaching, and
mentoring. Entrepreneurs working with Tech Town even get access to Wayne States
significant research, academic, and technology assets. Although decidedly urban in
nature, Tech Town boasts 12 blocks, 43 acres, and a rich history: the TechOne
building was once the Chevy Creative Services building, and the Corvette was
designed on the buildings third floor. With nearly 300 companies working under its
roof, participants in the Tech Town program contribute to the growth and livelihood of
Detroit and the Wayne State University community. Even established corporations
cant resist the attraction of Tech Town: the Henry Ford Health System relocated its
genetics labs to Tech Towns research space.

This tech business incubator hits early, even before participants are in college.
Founded by a 15-year-old (now 19), Teens in Tech Labs is a tech incubator for teens
with Microsoft backing, and its designed to give young entrepreneurs a space to get
their great ideas out with a whole lot of support. Nearly 1,000 young entrepreneurs
have been touched by the program, through events, workshops, and conferences.
Based in Mountain View, Calif., with hubs in New York City and Boston, Teens in
Tech Labs has opened up its incubator to young entrepreneurs worldwide, making it
possible for teens everywhere to take advantage of the tools and resources
available.

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NYU-Poly has not one, but four business incubators, boasting incredible support for
fledgling businesses in the greater New York City area. Its first, Brooklyn Enterprise
on Science and Technology (BEST) helps science and technology companies grow
with a student patent program, intellectual property commercialization, help from
business advisors, and funding recommendations. Varick Street focuses on next-gen
technology and adaptable business models, growing businesses in digital media,
cleantech, and even social media and mobile apps into real life successful startups.
Through NYC ACRE, NYU-Poly builds clean tech and renewable energy companies,
sharing resources for physical and virtual tenants, while offering guidance and
business assistance. Most recently, NYU-Poly has introduced DUMBO, a city-
sponsored business incubator in Brooklyn created to support the development of
technology startup businesses. Boasting an awesome view of the Brooklyn Bridge,
event space, coworking areas, and plenty of guidance, DUMBO is one of the most up
and coming places in the city to start a business. Participants can even take

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advantage of networking opportunities, discounted legal and accounting guidance,

guidance from NYU-Poly faculty, and office hours with well-known entrepreneurs.

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