Available Incubator Suites

Suite 219 – 419 sq ft. 3 separate rooms and 1 receptionist area

Suite 223 – 500 sq ft, 3 separate rooms and 1receptionist area

Suite 248 - 149 sq ft. 1 room

The cost of the office space for an incubator is .75 per square foot

Incubator Program Tenants

These tenants are new start up enterprises that have been in business less than two years. The business is in the development stages and requires/needs assistance to ensure that they are complying with all the industry standards and professional outlines to be successful. The Incubator tenants will be required to attend various workshop, training and development session with MBEC staff and Anchor tenants to build their business. The Incubator program tenants can expect to be in the program three to five-years for completion.

  Eligibility

   To be eligible for assistance under the Incubator program, all applicants must meet the following criteria

• A business that employs five (5) or fewer employees, at least one of whom must own the enterprise.
• A business that has its principal operations located in Albany, Georgia.
• Must be able to create jobs.
• Must be organized as a sole proprietorship, Limited Liability Company, or any other recognized form of for-profit.
• Must be current on all federal, state and local tax obligations, and must be current in all financial obligations with the City of Albany and/or Dougherty County.
• Must have or be able to obtain a DUNS # prior to occupancy or during the first year.
• Must be an equal opportunity employer.
• Applicant must be willing to comply with all regulations, guidelines and policies as they relate to the program.
• Business is suitable to operate in the “professional office environment” and does not require a large waiting area for customers or unattended children, or extensive parking needs.

  Program Requirements

    Incubator Program Companies must agree to participate in the Incubator Program, which includes a commitment to:

• Complete a Business Plan within the first year of occupancy. Assistance in completing the Business Plan is available through MBEC staff or a referred agency.
• Meet, at a minimum, quarterly with Incubator Center staff and provide them with up-to- date financial statements for the purpose of evaluating Incubator Program Company’s financial performance and reporting aggregate numbers.
• Attend, all necessary business-related classes or workshops offered by the MBEC and all partner organizations.
• Attend, at minimum, three free networking events per year such as the Networking Luncheons.
• Achieve, at minimum, 100 points per year through the Incubator Program Point System, a planning tool for starting, sustaining and growing your business (the requirements above equal 75 points).

  APPLICATION FEE: $50.00

    To apply for the Business Incubator Program an applicant business must also meet the following criteria:

• A new business or existing business in operation for less than 2 years. 
• Business owner(s) and /or business have not previously graduated from the program. Business owner(s) and /or business have not previously left the program with a debt, defaulted lease agreement, or business closure. 
• Businesses can reenter the program if they have previously left the program in good standing prior to graduating, but their total program involvement cannot exceed 5 years. 
• Generally compatible with the incubator community, and willingness to support and promote the Incubator concept. Does not weaken or alter the MBEC’s image or purpose, nor negatively impact other participants’ business operations.
• Willingness to conduct business in an open, collaborative and cooperative fashion with the Incubator, including regular status reports to the Program Manager, MBEC Staff. 
• Applicant should possess a rudimentary knowledge of the chosen field and be willing to acquire basic business practices before moving forward.
• Motivation - MBEC welcomes those who need assistance and on-going support. However, the applicant should possess a rudimentary knowledge of the chosen field and be willing to acquire basic business practices before moving forward.
• In order to apply for the Incubator Program at the MBEC, a business must complete a program application and detailed business synopsis. Businesses will be evaluated by their fit with the resources and services provided.
• Complete a Business Plan within the first year of occupancy. Assistance in completing the Business Plan is available through MBEC staff or a referred agency.
• Limited Duplication of Existing Businesses - Entry of new businesses that closely resemble existing MBEC businesses will be judged on a case-by-case basis to rule out potential conflicts. No more than two businesses shall have the same product or services regardless of the situation.
• To be considered for the incubation program, all businesses must be operated on a full-time basis, unless specifically authorized to operate otherwise as outlined in this or other DCED business programs, i.e. Virtual. Applicant businesses may be required to satisfy other requirements as outlined in this policy manual.

Generally, the program seeks to strengthen and enhance these small businesses, with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. Applicants need not be low or moderate-income persons themselves. Acceptance into the program will be provided to those microenterprises that can satisfactorily demonstrate an ability to grow and to provide expanded employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons as further defined in the federal income guidelines.