Five benefits of engaging with the Ohio University Innovation Center (OUIC)

You may have wondered what happens within that big brick building on W. State St. in Athens. The OUIC is a technology business incubator with an economic development mission and a resource for the business community. Although selection to become a client is competitive, anyone with a passion for technology-based business is encouraged to engage with the OUIC. The OUIC not only helps entrepreneurs and startups, but is also a resource for student experiential learning, intrapreneurship and R&D within large entities, and scaling-up the business community in Southeast Ohio, at large.

Testimonial: “I have had a somewhat unique experience as an Innovation Center client twice, having worked with them 6 years prior as the founder of iReconCars leading to our successful exit in 2018, and now back again with my newest venture, PlayerzCard. The resources, professional assistance, and guidance have only gotten better with time. I have been fortunate to speak with many entrepreneurs, and I always highly recommend the Innovation Center, so much so that I took my own advice and came back.” – Mike Boyd, Serial Entrepreneur

Five Reasons to Engage With OUIC

1. Connections

The OUIC is an award-winning integral part of a thriving entrepreneurial and business development ecosystem, fully integrated with numerous Ohio University and regional partners enabling essential business development guidance. The OUIC specializes in connecting companies with the right people and resources at the right time to set up businesses for long-term success. Whether you're seeking expert guidance, funding, talented employees, or your first customer, the OUIC’s extensive and well-established network – cultivated over many decades – is an invaluable asset for client companies, helping open doors, provide critical insights, and foster opportunities that propel your business forward.

 2. Expert Assistance

The OUIC understands that having access to expert assistance is crucial for the success of entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes. OUIC clients benefit from a robust network of coaches, experts, and advisors who are dedicated to helping them navigate challenges and avoid common pitfalls on their journey to success. By leveraging OUIC’s extensive expertise, companies gain a significant advantage in the competitive landscape, ensuring a smoother and more successful growth journey from ideation through growth and sustainability.

OUIC clients receive business development assistance and strategic advice from OUIC staff and mentors. This support includes access to research expertise and partnerships, matchmaking to investors and lenders, manufacturing and R&D help, assistance with finances, marketing support, help with website and social media strategies, customer validation, market research, customer segment analysis, and coaching on lean startup methodologies, stage gate processes, and more.

In addition to business coaching, the OUIC’s on-site lab director and regulatory affairs coach provides specialized technical support, ensuring businesses meet industry standards and regulations. This includes analyzing and advising on necessary equipment, evaluating early-stage regulatory requirements, assisting with the onboarding of new laboratory staff on equipment usage, and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for quality operations.

  3.  Room to Grow, On-Site or Virtually, Surrounded by Like-Minded Business Leaders

The OUIC’s 36,000-square-foot facility is designed with the growth of startups and emerging businesses in mind. Housing 29 offices, 10 biosafety level 2 labs, a prototype development space, two shared labs, and five conference rooms, the OUIC can easily meet companies’ evolving needs. The OUIC also offers a virtual membership modality for companies that don’t need a dedicated space but want to take advantage of all other OUIC resources and conference rooms.

The OUIC’s 10 adaptable laboratory spaces are ideal for life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and analytical chemistry startups, as well as those involved in research and small-scale manufacturing. Clients benefit from access to $1 million worth of state-of-the-art shared equipment. The OUIC understands that the ability to scale up and have the right resources at your disposal can make all the difference.

The OUIC is not just a building. Its environment is carefully designed to foster peer-to-peer engagement, resulting in an expanded network, mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs, and access to professional development. Clients also benefit from an array of networking opportunities to benefit their sales, and third-party service provider selections. This collaborative atmosphere not only provides moral support but also facilitates the exchange of ideas and strategies that drive collective success.

   4. Vendor Cost-Savings

OUIC clients benefit from cost savings in a myriad of ways. OUIC membership includes essential resources such as Wi-Fi, conference room access, copier and printer services, mail handling, free parking, a loading dock, and front desk reception. OUIC members can also benefit from aggregated cost-saving through several programs such as Amazon Web Services, HubSpot, and other exclusive discounts on shipping, software licenses, insurance, legal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The OUIC understands that cost savings can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. By significantly reducing overhead costs, your business can focus on what truly matters – developing your business and increasing job opportunities for the Southeast Ohio region.

  5. University, economic development resources, and talent acquisition assistance

The OUIC is proud to be the physical hub of the local business community, as well as the conduit between its clients and university resources. The University takes seriously its service to the business community as demonstrated by many awards and accolades including the APLU Connections Award, the highest award for Economic and Community Engagement. The OUIC is closely integrated with the county, region, and state’s economic development entities enabling its clients’ awareness of and connection to grants, investments, and incentive programs. Ohio University boasts cutting-edge technologies and researchers, a leading medical college, and contracted relationships with major global corporations which can be leveraged to assist OUIC clients. The University’s alumni – among the most passionate in the world – are tapped by OUIC staff, as needed, to provide counsel or assistance to clients for specific needs. This, among other things, could be introductions to seasoned C-level executives looking to step in to mentor or even serve as an acting CEO during early-stage development. The University’s talented pool of students and alumni are also an excellent ready source when OUIC clients are ready to make early career hires. The OUIC’s experiential learning program embeds students directly within client companies to bring expertise such as website development, outbound sales messaging, CRM development, prototype development, social media marketing, and more.

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Becoming an OUIC client unlocks a vast network of people and resources that companies would struggle to uncover on their own. The OUIC has been named as the Top Incubator in the World for a reason. Whether you’re an executive at a global corporation, a seasoned technology leader who wants to lean in and be a part of the business community in Southeast Ohio, or an inventor with a brand-new idea, reach out to the OUIC to get some advice and see what it can unlock for you.