UConn is classed as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University—Extensive, and as such the TIP is able to offer technically based, start up companies access to a unique range of highly qualified faculty, instrumentation and facilities. Our current offerings include the following:

Basic Services

The TIP lease agreement includes a description of the property and rent to be paid, and services such as utilities, shipping and receiving, security, grounds keeping, janitorial services, snow and ice removal, external maintenance, and repairs and maintenance of HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Incubating companies are required to conform with all state and federal requirements relating to hazardous waste removal, environmental health and safety, radiation safety and animal health and welfare. The University provides monitoring and training in these areas. A limited amount of parking is offered at current University rates. Similarly, a limited number of phone jacks are available but the company is responsible for all installation and call charges.

Library and Computer Network

The University of Connecticut Libraries form the largest public research collection in the state. The collection contains some 2.6 million volumes; 6,000 currently received print periodicals; 41,000 electronic journals; 2.8 million units of microform; 35,000 reference sources; 200,000 maps; sound and video recordings; musical scores; and a growing array of electronic resources, including eBooks, eSound recordings, and image databases. (Information courtesy of the University of Connecticut Library’s website.)

Student Employees/Interns

The TIP advertises and helps recruit suitable students to work as part time employees or interns.

Equipment/Instrumentation

Some of the departments and faculty have large and expensive specialized items of equipment. The TIP program helps negotiate agreements between the relevant faculty and the company, given that time is available on the instrument and client employees have been properly trained.

Business Support

Through a network of service providers and advisors, the TIP offers access to a variety of business consultants and expertise including accountants and lawyers to help with issues important to start up companies. Internally, we can support business plan development. We organize events to promote collaboration among our faculty and company scientists, and to provide access to experienced entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resources, and assistance through connections with advisors and mentors. Through our School of Business we can arrange access to knowledgeable faculty and students who can provide advice to emerging companies.

What Do Customers Say About Our Service?

Jack Xu, COO, Evergen Biotechnology

“As the first resident, and one of the first graduates, at the TIP, we at Evergen Biotechnologies greatly appreciate the support and help from this program. We would certainly recommend other biotech start ups to consider incubator programs such as TIP for their first years of operation. TIP  provided us a well furnished wet lab, the access to University facilities including animal use, biotech center and library. It also helped to connect with business, legal and financial professionals. With such a platform, we were able to focus on technology development. To date, the company has received five Phase I, and two Phase II SBIR/STTR grants from the federal government.:

Heidi Douglas, Founding CEO, MysticMD Inc.

“Like many startups, before joining the UConn Technology Incubation Program, MysticMD operations were based in the founders’ garage.  An advanced materials company, it was imperative for the business to move to an environment that could support both technical and business development activities.  The Avery Point facility has furnished the laboratories, office and meeting space required for the company to prosper, technically and professionally.  Together with the support, advocacy and counsel of the Executive Director, Rita Zangari, and her capable staff, MysticMD has steadily moved towards financial viability and commercial success.  The company has completed more than a dozen patent applications and had issued two U.S. Patents.  In addition, we have licensed our technology to another company in one field of use and received three grants, two State grants and one SBIR.  MysticMD would not be we where we are today were it not for the Program.”

Serge Martinod, Chief Scientific Officer, Arcanatura LLC.

“The main benefits of the TIP program for Arcanatura were as follows:

-TIP provided a functional and suitable laboratory at a very low cost: in less than one year the lab was used to troubleshoot some manufacturing problems with one of our existing product and prepare formulations for 4 new products now in development.

- Access to U CONN library is a tremendous asset

- TIP facilitated access to U Conn resources: we are working with 2 different departments on the Storrs Campus to initiate some collaboration an we have been in contact with several others.

- We are also starting to use TIP to introduce us to State and other organizations as well as private companies in Connecticut. The time gained could be very significant as our manpower is still limited.”

Barbara A. Soltz, CEO, Conversion Energy Enterprises, Inc.