The Mason Enterprise Center in Leesburg will be Loudoun’s first official breeding place for entrepreneurial ideas.
The center will house up to 20 small- to mid-size companies that are preparing to launch into a larger market. As businesses find their way through the initial stages of development, an incubator provides resources that might otherwise elude them. They include services such as an administrator to take their calls and collect mail to the proximity of the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, which provides information on how to get loans or do business with the government.
“There is a creative process that takes place there that wouldn’t happen elsewhere,” said Marantha Edwards, Leesburg’s economic development manager.
The first business incubator in the United States opened in 1958, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 1980, there were 15 incubation programs nationwide. In 2006, there were 1,100, according to the National Business Incubation Association.
Leesburg’s incubator will develop in two phases – a temporary location at 15 North King St., and ultimately, a permanent building at 202 Church St. The 10,000- square-foot, three-story office building will also house Leesburg’s Economic Development Department.
Leesburg’s Economic Development Commission first looked at the idea of an incubator in March 2007. A feasibility study was conducted in 2008 and the Mason Enterprise Center presented recommendations to the Town Council in May 2009. The university inked the deal with Leesburg last week.
“Interest in our incubator has been building within the entrepreneurial community,” Edwards said.
The Economic Development Department will market the incubator, reach out to entrepreneurs and business owners, respond to inquiries, and eventually hire a director through the Mason Enterprise Center, Edwards said.
Partnering with George Mason University is vital to the incubator process, she said. The university resources expand the creativity and forward thinking that a university carries.
“Having a Mason Enterprise Center location in the historic downtown will help solidify Leesburg’s reputation as a great place to start and grow a business,” said Leesburg Town Manager John Wells.
Contact the writer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Jeez Louise, doesn’t anyone moderate these posts? What a bunch of spam!
cI feel delighted to read such a good post, I would like to thank the Author for this marvelous efforts.this post is good in regards of both knowledge as well as information. Thanks for the post.
Canvas Prints
A company that finances early stage businesses that aim to deal in environmentally friendly products/services.Insurance reviews
If you are a small business in CA, health insurance plans are on your mind, and you are not alone. Hundreds of millions of Americans and 30 million small businesses are also thinking here, many are worried, and uncertain about the future. That’s why you must do your homework and due diligence.
Stock Exchange Updates
The key thing in this is to understand that when you start to accept, you will begin to receive and when you receive the different things in your life-the opportunities, the money, the partners, the creativity, the ideas that come to you when you are on the right purpose, when you’re on the right path, when you’re on the right mission, you will have opportunities and you’ll have to find room for those things to come to you, which means that you’re going to have to surrender some things.Stock Exchange Updates
It is excellent to have the ability to read a good quality blog with useful details on topics that a lot are interested on. The reason that the data indicated are all first hand on live experiences even assist more. Go on doing what you do as we enjoy reading your work.Thanks for a fantasic read, I dont really comment on blogs very much but whileI might as well as your site is very good. Can I ask what theme is this you are using , is it paid one or a free one as I have been looking everywhere for a decent theme but most of them have horrid footer links. Insurance reviews
I decided using the framework would be a great way to supplement my own development skills. Below is a quick review of my experience using TapLynx.
Hire PHP Developers
Its a very nice post and It will works for people but what I think if you visit http://www.ontariorci.com/ I hope it will help to improve your posting, Thanks.
I really liked the information on Leesburg’s Economic Development. Great keep it!!!!!!!!!!!up.
The National Institute for the Commercialization of Clean Energy (NICCE, Inc.) is the leading organization for the development of clean tech and green incubators in the world (www.nicceenergy.com). Our research demonstrates that the incubator models of the future require many elements that did not exist with the creation of incubators during the biotech and IT eras. Setting standards for acceptance into the incubator is required (ie. commercialization within 36 months), targeting industry clusters using market research (clean energy is a growing opportunity), making next generation tools like the National Lambda Rail, supercomputers, infrastructure security and data hosting available to companies are all components of the next generation incubator model and these elements are not inexpensive. In fact, if security work for the Federal government is desired as part of the incubator function, there is additional costs to minimize security risks (ITAR comes to mind). Finally, companies survive on contracts and the contracting cycle for federal contracts is long and hard. Therefore, this new incubator, with is proximity to Washington DC, should take an active role in government engagement on behalf of its companies. Without selling products and services, companies fail and jobs are lost. Often incubator staffers are seeking grants to support internal incubator operations and in some cases these benefits goto universities helping the incubator as opposed to putting efforts into contract securitization and contract execution for the companies within the incubator. These issues are common problems for start-up companies. Inexpensive space and shared resources in this economy is a given and available all over Dulles and Tysons Corner and so these models are not as advantageous moving forward. I look forward to learning about the model this incubator sets forth and we wish them luck in their endeavors. For more information contact my team at our offices (434) 298-3906.
This is a fantastic development. Incubators allow a new business to become profitable faster. This leads to smaller companies being more stable initially and hiring employees earlier. They also almost double the chance of a small business staying in business. Being partnered with GMU is going to put more college grads to work in Leesburg.
One thing about this article bugs me. An important thing about these programs is that the SBDCs work with everyone (they have to by law). Incubators are client-only. They are NOT redundant, but complementary. They should be together, and Loudoun will have more employers because of this.
Nice to see that Leesburg residents have such a positive outlook on their community and world in general. What a bunch of negative whinners. Whaa, whaa, whaa, whaa…
Speaking of the Lovettsville mayor and businesses, whatever happened to our medical care facility and the Town Center (plus the big community park) that were SUPPOSEDLY in the works years ago?!? Gotta “Love it” in Lovettsville!
Start of business with President BHO? Who’d go a do a stupid thing like that?
The Mayor is a joke, same with Purceville and Lovettsville. They are all jokes. Start a business at 40% tax rate. YEAP!!!!! Real smart.
I’m sure Mayor Umstaad will find a way to muck it up…..
Waterford parents go to court for kids’ constant tardiness
Purcellville woman arrested over kids’ tardiness in school
Inmate dies from medical condition at Loudoun jail
Suspect arrested for connection to 2007 Ashburn gang assault
LTM Editorial: A candle for Bethany
 |
The Loudoun Times-Mirror is an interactive, digital replica of the printed newspaper.Open the e-edition now. |
 Weekly Homes Guide |
 2011 Guide to Loudoun |
 Holiday Gift Guide |
 Health and Wellness |
 Bridal Guide |
 Historic Frederick Maryland |
 Taste of Loudoun |
 Senior Lifestyles |
 Historic Downtown Leesburg |
 Health Resolutions |
 Future Leaders |
 Coming Soon |
