Incubator Creates Business Assistance Network
Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center Offers Valuable Development Connection to Tenants

Titusville, Fla. – August 8, 2001 - Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center Director, Dave Kershaw announced the development of the Florida/NASA Business Assistance Professional Network. The network offers incubator clients free and reduced rate services to help guide the start-ups in marketing, business planning, financial and legal issues, and product development.

A study conducted in 1997 shows 87% of companies begun in incubators are still in existence today. By providing the added value of mentoring and business assistance, incubator graduates enter the marketplace with formal business and marketing plans, opportunity and market analyses, connections to venture capital funding as well as many other professional assistance resources.

“We’ve fostered informal mentoring relationships for clients since the incubator’s inception because we believe its our responsibility to offer more than just reduced rates on office space,” says Kershaw. “With the Business Assistance Professional network, we’ve stepped to a higher level by formally organizing a seasoned group of business professionals who will share experiences and provide support and guidance to our clients.”

The incubator will publish a directory of network members for clients to contact directly. Members of the network include, Fred Orlando, management consultant; Adam Buss and Bill Kananack, IP, employment and corporate attorneys; David Webb, aerospace and technology development consultants; Dave Harrison, CPA; Caroline Kempf, marketing communications and Al Vazquez, IT and e-commerce consultant.

FNBIC plans to continue adding members to the network and encourages experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals to consider the value of a mentoring relationship.

Established by the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) in 1996, the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center helps accelerate the success of technology-based, small businesses by providing affordable space, shared office services and fulfilling enterprise development needs to give companies a strong competitive edge.  The Incubator is managed through a joint partnership of Florida’s TRDA, NASA-Kennedy Space Center and Brevard Community College. The Incubator is located at Brevard Community College, Titusville campus, at 1311 N. Highway U.S. 1, Building 3.