To partner with entrepreneurs and investors to affect the successful establishment of technology-based start-up and spin-off companies in order to achieve technology transfer, create jobs, and enhance economic development within the region.

Objectives

• Create an environment that facilitates collaboration, innovation, and shared learning which results in successful companies.

• Provide opportunities to keep our best and brightest at home.

• Focus on the creation of high quality jobs and wealth creation with emerging technology-driven companies.

• Promote, stimulate and support economic development throughout the region through a virtual incubator component.

• Enhance opportunities for "real world" experiences for faculty, staff and students.

The Innovation Laboratory works in cooperation with East Tennessee State University's College Business and Technology to offer infrastructure and logistical supports along with reasonable rent costs that might not be available in other locations.

The Innovation Laboratory is the first phase of the middle anchor of Johnson City's new Med-Tech Corridor, which has the Millennium Center across from ETSU's main campus at one end, and the new Med-Tech Business Park, off State of Franklin Road, at its other end.

Click photo to enlarge

Click photo to enlarge

Through the Virtual Incubator Program, the Innovation Laboratory can provide business assistance and consultation services to clients in remote towns via the internet.

The Innovation Laboratory will also be used as an instructional site for the new graduate certificate program in Entrepreneurial Leadership and the M.B.A. @ Work program.

The Innovation Laboratory is governed by the newly established ETSU Research Foundation. ETSU is the first public institution in Tennessee to create its own research foundation.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is located in the Innovation Lab. The Center provides advice for small and medium sized businesses in an eight-county region of Northeast Tennessee from Greene County North. The Center's services are free and assists a wide variety of people asking for advice from individuals who just have an idea, to managers of companies with up to 500 employees. 

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