The Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center

Receives $170,100 DOE Grant

To provide business & financial services tailored to the clean energy community

Titusville, FL – As a member of the National Alliance of Clean Energy Business Incubators, the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (FNBIC) has received a $170,100 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to help energy-related companies. This Alliance supports a broad portfolio of clean energy technologies including, but not limited to, renewables, microturbines, fuel cells, power quality, energy efficiency, alternative fuels, transportation, and energy-related e-commerce and information technologies.

The Incubator’s grant is part of an overall $1.5 million award to its 10 Alliance incubators – located in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York and Texas – selected by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as the nation’s top business incubators.

“We are thrilled to have received this grant. It will enable us to participate in NREL-sponsored clean energy investor forums, build a network of clean energy expertise, market the Incubator to clean energy companies and assist businesses with access to mentors and investors, networking contacts and general entrepreneurial training,” said Dave Kershaw, Director of Incubation programs, for the TRDA.

Developing and commercializing clean energy technology is a formidable task given the complexity and maturity of the energy market.  Success requires more than a superior technology---it requires a solid business concept and plan, a seasoned management team, contacts and established relationships with suppliers and industry leaders, and access to capital.

NREL established the Alliance in 2000 and has since developed an impressive network of investors, energy experts, and industry leaders who stand ready to provide mentoring, financing, and introductions to the global energy community.  Participants such as American Electric Power, California Energy Commission, Bechtel Enterprises, BP Global Power Company, Florida Power and Light Company, Nth Power, FA Technology Ventures, and Cinergy Ventures are illustrative of the range and reach of the National Alliance.

“The deregulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry, coupled with growing environmental concerns and wildly fluctuating energy costs, is creating unprecedented opportunities for clean energy companies that are developing their own proprietary technologies,” explained NREL’s Dr. Marty Murphy. “To take full advantage of the opportunities, these start-up companies need to prepare themselves to be ‘business successful.’  The Alliance is committed to helping these companies maximize these opportunities.”

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.