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Is Your Start-Up Fit for an Incubator?

Posted: Aug 7th, 2012

You are ready to start your business.  Your planning has been completed.  Now, you want to take your start-up to the next step.  Many entrepreneurs just go at it alone with no mentors and no help.  While this works for a few, some start-ups need a little help to get up on their feet.  This is where business incubators come in handy.

What is an Incubator?

Business incubators are a good way to kick start your operations.  There are about 1,200 nestled in several cities nationwide.  Incubators are typically places where a number of start-ups can rent space and equipment for a low price.  This is always ideal especially if you are bootstrapping your business.

In addition, you can get professional business advice and assistance.  Some incubators have a different format, offering the professional advice online.  Some even invest money into select start-ups.

Benefits of Using an Incubator

• Professional Advice: When you are a start-up in an incubator, you are offered valuable advice from business professionals.  These professionals are experts in their fields and offer their expertise to these start-ups. Like anything worth working through, you don’t have to work through this alone.
• Funding: Some incubators will actually invest in the start-ups using their services.  Not all incubators do this and the ones that do will only invest in certain companies.  If your company is qualified, this is a great route to pursue.
• Low Cost Space: If an incubator has a facility, then they are offering the space to start-ups for little to no cost.  This is a great way for entrepreneurs to save money and have the space needed to start operations.
• Equipment: In addition to the low-cost space rental, some incubators offer equipment to their start-ups.  Depending on the incubator, start-ups can rent the equipment or are allowed to use it free of charge.  This is just another way for a start-up to save funds.

Read the full article: http://www.accesstocapital.com/is-your-start-up-fit-for-an-incubator/