Laserfiche WebLink
Hatching Good Ideas? Characteristics o/Minnesota's Business Incubators <br />Questions To Consider About <br />An Incubator <br />Because incubators come in a variety of forms, it <br />is often difficult to compare incubators. However, <br />finding ways to make comparisons is a key <br />concern to both economic development <br />professionals and potential entrepreneurs <br />interested in learning more about incubators in <br />genera] or about a specific incubator. These <br />questions have been developed with exploration of <br />this topic. It is by no means original, however. <br />Two key lists of questions were synthesized and <br />expanded to develop this list, including one by the <br />NBIA~' and one from EntreNetwork.'° <br />• Are you ready to listen to the advice provided <br />by incubator management and act upon it as <br />necessary? <br />Do you meet the incubator's criteria? <br />• What is the incubator's track record? <br />• What is the incubator's graduation policy? <br />• Does the incubator provide the facilities, <br />services, access to capital, and contacts that <br />you need to be successful? <br />• What are the background and skills of the <br />manager and staff of the incubator? <br />• What types of educational opportunities are <br />available? <br />• How does the incubator promote networking <br />among tenants? <br />• How are the incubator's fees structured? <br />• What are the alternatives to locating in an <br />incubator? <br />Minnesota Department of 73~ade and Economic Development <br />