Business Incubation
THERE ARE SEVERAL FACILITIES where business incubation support is available. Most significant among these is the MG&E Innovation Center within the University Research Park. It is a unique research and technology park, whose primary mission is to encourage partnerships between businesses and university researchers. Developed on former UW-Madison agricultural research land and managed by a 501 (c) 3 corporation on the behalf of the university, the park is located three miles west of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The 283 acre University Research Park is the home of 107 companies employing nearly 4,000 people. Park staff numbers seven, including a manager of the business incubation facility at the core of the park.
University Research Park
There are several facilities where business incubation support is available. Most significant among these is the MG&E Innovation Center within the University Research Park. It is a unique research and technology park, whose primary mission is to encourage partnerships between businesses and university researchers. Developed on former UW-Madison agricultural research land and managed by a 501 (c) 3 corporation on the behalf of the university, the park is located three miles west of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The 283 acre University Research Park is the home of 107 companies employing nearly 4,000 people. Park staff numbers seven, including a manager of the business incubation facility at the core of the park.
The mission of the University Research Park is to provide an environment that encourages technology development and commercialization. To advance its mission, the URP:
- Supports technology transfer and commercialization or intellectual property arising from University of Wisconsin-Madison research
- Provides research and educational opportunities
- Provides facilities and services needed by start-up companies
- Supports educational outreach
The MGE Innovation Center is located in the Research Park and is a collaboration of the University Research Park and Madison Gas & Electric to facilitate the transfer of technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the private sector. The Center provides laboratory and office space as well as support equipment and personnel to nearly fifty early stage companies. In March 1999, the Innovation Center moved into a new 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility and in June 2001, a 51,000 square foot addition to that building opened. The entire facility houses 35 office suites, 40 laboratories, 9 conference rooms, as well as a shared shop facility, laboratory and commons area. The Center has helped more than 70 early stage companies grow since its inception at its original building in 1989. Companies that locate in the Center establish office and lab facilities with speed, ease and flexibility. The MGE Innovation Center enables companies to focus on business development essentials: Product development, UW-Madison collaborative research, employee recruitment and capital investment.
The MGE Innovation Center has helped more than 70 early stage companies grow since 1989. The Center consists of 113,000 square feet, of which 50,000 square feet has been designated for 27 office and 34 laboratory suites designed for early stage start-up companies.
Incubator Space in the Engineering Centers Building
The Engineering Centers Building, the permanent home for the BME Department, was constructed with nascent business incubator space to support faculty spinouts. The building contains four suites, each containing 1000 ASF of wet laboratory space on the third floor, adjacent to or one floor above BME primary faculty research laboratories.
The MG&E innovation Center, incubator space in the Engineering Centers Building, combined with other incubator facilities in the Madison area collectively offer a rich and diverse environment of opportunities for entrepreneurs starting companies. Other business incubators in the University of Wisconsin-Madison area include:
Madison Entreprise Center
Madison Enterprise Center (MEC) is a small-business incubator for new and expanding light industrial businesses. MEC provides low-cost space, shared business services, and technical assistance. MEC is located in the campus area, in a historic building that once housed the Giddings and Lewis pattern shop.
Main Street Industries
Main Street Industries (MSI) is a light industrial facility for established and expanding businesses. Housed in a recently remodeled former Greyhound Building, MSI offers small business owners a uniquely supportive business environment. Tenants have access to shared services and on-site technical assistance.
Genesis Enterprise Center
Genesis Enterprise Center (Genesis) provides businesses with tailor-made services that point them toward success. It is located minutes from downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Urban Tech Catalyst
UTC offers shared office equipment and other facilities. It also provides strategic alliances with private investors and professional service firms to make capital funding and business management expertise readily available to the emerging companies locating within the facility. This business development effort focuses on information technology, although biotech and other high-tech enterprises can be accommodated if they do not require comprehensive wet-lab facilities.
T.E.C. Incubator Center
The Technology, Education and Commerce (T.E.C.) Incubator Center is a unique public/private partnership between Madison Area Technical College(MATC) and McAllen Properties. It provides high quality incubator space on the east side of Madison adjacent to the MATC main campus, for new and emerging technology-focused businesses, firms engaged in government contracting or subcontracting, and technical support firms that deliver specialized services to the growing technology industry.