Founding Contributor Program:

Technology-based economic development is a strategy that has been successful for “college towns” throughout the US.  Nevertheless, it is a bold move for Columbia and Mid-Missouri.  The Founding Contributor program seeks to recognize the community and business leaders of the area who not only grasped the merits of the strategy, but also recognized the key role of the technology business incubator in that strategy and contributed funding for construction to move it from idea to reality.  The list of remaining naming opportunities can be found here.

Benefits for our Founding Contributors are as follows:
An appropriate decorative panel is being commissioned that documents the role of the Founding Contributors (they moved the incubator from idea to reality) and lists the Founding Contributors by name (unless anonymity is sought).  The panel will be a feature in the Atrium of the facility.  The Atrium is an attractive two-storey architectural element of the incubator, designed as an area for collegial interaction among entrepreneurs doing business at the incubator.  The Atrium also serves as the gathering place for the social and professional events held at the incubator.  Note that the Incubator will be the principal venue in Columbia for entrepreneurship events such as the Show-Me Business Plan Competition, workshops on themes related to entrepreneurship, and meetings of Centennial Investors.  Many visitors will have their attention drawn to the role of our Founding Contributors. Other benefits include:

• Invited as guests at the opening of the facility and recognition during the event.
• Complimentary invitations to receptions and special events held at the incubator from time to time, such as workshops with visiting entrepreneurs and celebrations for incubator companies.
• Complimentary registrations for workshops or seminars on entrepreneurial themes.
• Opportunities to promote products or services to incubator tenants. Incubator tenants graduate from the incubator, typically after 3 – 4 years, and will be in the market for services to support their business.
• Founding Contributors who have products or services used by incubator tenants will have priority as preferred vendors and for professional referrals in support of the companies residing at the incubator.