Thursday, March 19, 2009

Youngstown Business Incubator

Visited Jim Cossler and got a good understanding of YBI's unique business model. YBI brings in only technology-based companies commercializing proprietary Intellectual Property (IP). It was also highlighted on an NPR piece February 17. You all know that most or all major cities have business incubators, but YBI focuses solely on B2B software and electronics companies ready for commercialization. It is the best example I know of a "Managed Cluster" of related tech companies.

One of its operational strengths is the way the YBI staff facilitate communication and problem solving between closely related skillsets. Chances are that among the 300 or so software people there, your bug report can be analyzed and resolved in minutes by someone who has already been down that path.

Zethus software, Green Energy TV, and machine vision systems. Turning Technologies makes the "clicker" that was praised and panned by student users on a March 2, 2009 NPR piece.

If you have a proprietary product with heavy software content that is ready for commercialization, the YBI is where you need to be. I've got my eyes on it.

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