Management
Services Group

Small Business Development Center

Small Business Incubator

Small Business Institute

Center for
Family Business

Government Contracting Assistance Program

Business Development and Training Services

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The Indiana County Small Business Incubator was established in 1986 to provide assistance to start-up or developing companies. The Incubator has been funded in part by the Ben Franklin Partnership of Central and Northern Pennsylvania since inception.  The program is dedicated to increasing Indiana County’s economic prosperity by encouraging high-tech development and industrial diversification.    A start-up or developing business that is involved in engineering services, software development, information technology, light manufacturing, assembly, mail order/direct marketing or other selected service or manufacturing activities may be eligible to apply as a tenant for space within the Incubator facility.   The program specializes in helping individuals move their innovative business ideas from development to commercialization.  Gradual rental increases ease the initial financial burden faced by all businesses in the start-up phase. At the same time, it prepares the business for its ultimate responsibility in the greater community.  As an Incubator tenant, a company will benefit from the nurturing assistance and various services provided in-house that will help to build a solid foundation to support future growth. US statistics show that business incubators increase the survival rate of start-ups from 35% to 87%. 

As a unit of the Management Services Group within the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, a number of services are offered to Incubator tenants:    

Low initial rent
Receptionist
Shared use of fax and copy machine
Business advice
Mentoring
Conference room
Networking with other businesses
Student interns