The OU INCubator
Oakland University's SmartZone Business Incubator (OU INC) provides entrepreneurial resources and strategic business solutions to develop intellectual property. The incubator supports existing and grows new technology-based and life science businesses with university resources, decision support technology, business counseling services and financial/capital acquisition assistance.
The state of Michigan, city of Rochester Hills and Oakland University created a certified technology park (CTP) under the auspices of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that is part of the Great Lakes Interchange, an Oakland County Automation Alley SmartZone, and includes tax increment financing to support OU INC.
The Rochester Hills CTP and OU INC are committed to commercializing technology and life sciences innovations emerging from the university, SmartZone businesses and regional high-technology industry. OU INC and the SmartZone program enhance the rich matrix of technology and business services currently provided by Oakland, one of the country’s 110 doctoral, research-intensive universities.
What is a business incubator?
An incubator provides access to resources necessary to get your business ready to succeed. Connecting start-ups with everything needed from cubicles to consultations. From investors to inventors, incubator programs can become a clear map on the long road from starting up to moving up. The key is providing business support, resources and experienced entrepreneurial knowledge to business innovators. An incubator also is a great financial resource for big dreams with small budgets. Through minimizing start-up expenses and leveraging shared costs, companies can protect limited financial resources that could be better used for initial sales, networking and building relationships.