Life science, technology, and engineering companies depend upon robust systems, services and expertise. The Innovation Center delivers on all fronts. You'll get a corporate experience on a shoestring budget.
Business Support
Our staff and consultants boast many decades of experience in technology and business. The Innovation Center has an unparalleled success rate among our client companies exceeding 90 percent, and a proven track record with 76 patents and more than $200 million leveraged by our client companies. We offer:
- On-site business and financial counseling, along with access to financial, legal and communication services.
- Business equipment, including overhead projectors and high-speed color copier
- Business services, including free high-speed Internet, shared conference rooms, mail and package handling, reception,
- Entrepreneurial services, including business plan assistance, introductions to investors, management team recruitment advice, monthly lunch-and-learns, SBIR training classes, customer discovery workshops, and more.
Facilities
Life science, technology, and engineering ventures involve many great, innovative ideas, but they share common needs. The Innovation Center is both designed and determined to meet those needs. We offer 58,000 square feet of purpose-built wet-lab space‚ 72 individual labs in all‚ plus 11,000 square feet of conferences rooms, offices and common areas. Our air handling system is designed specifically for wet-lab operations and our rental structure is low-cost and progressive, benefitting technology companies of all sizes, especially new startups. Additionally, we are located in a state-designated SmartZone, which provides 100% personal property tax exemption. Our clients enjoy:
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Scientific Support
What makes the Innovation Center unique among incubators/accelerators is our depth of scientific and business counsel. Innovation Center clients use our collaborative environment to share insights and advance their science. We provide on-site business counseling, lab and business training, and links to experts in finance, legal and communication services. In addition to on-site scientific equipment, our clients can easily access local resources, including two vivariums, mass spec analytical services, quantitative bioanalytical analysis services, and scientific consulting.
- The Ideation Station
The Ideation Station is a shared work environment for high-tech entrepreneurs requiring space in which to develop their business concepts. The Ideation Station program provides month-to-month access to Innovation Center resources, helping technology companies grow to the point of taking on conventional leases at the Innovation Center or re-locating to existing facilities in the local community. Located inside the Innovation Center, Ideation Station provides low-cost, shared office space and amenities in an entrepreneurial, innovative atmosphere. It provides networking opportunities, as well as access to on-site business tools and resources.
Membership Features
Membership is per company- A month-to-month membership fee situation
- One dedicated desk and office chair
- A shared office area furnished with a conference table and comfortable seating
- Secure access 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
- Use of mailing address (Suite #100, mail placed in non-confidential mail cubby)
- Access to high-speed wireless internet
- Access to printer/scanner/copier (small fee applies when used)
- Use of private meeting rooms in WMed Innovation Center
- Access to café area
- Access to a community of high-tech entrepreneurs
- Free hot beverages and monthly luncheons
- Specialized events and trainings
Membership Fee: $150 per desk - Launch MI Lab
Launch MI Lab makes shared laboratory space available to startup high-tech companies that are not yet ready to rent dedicated lab space. Launch MI Lab provides month-to-month rental of dedicated bench space inside a larger shared lab environment. Also included is access to a vast array of shared scientific and business equipment.
Membership Features
All memberships are $400 per month, per company- A dedicated 7' bench inside a 1,500 s.f. shared equipment area
- An all-inclusive rate (high-speed internet, electricity, water, property taxes)
- Access to printer/scanner/copier and AV equipment
- Use of private meeting rooms and cafÈ area in the Innovation Center Reception service
- Access to a community of high-tech entrepreneurs
- Free hot beverages and monthly luncheons
- Mailing address
- Ample free parking
- Business library and resource center
- Procurement assistance and package shipping/receiving
- Access to funding opportunities
- Specialized events and trainings
Shared Laboratory Environment- Mass spectrometry system
- Centrifuges
- Autoclaves
- Various microscopes
- Incubators
- Refrigerators/freezers
- RO/DI water
- Flake ice machine
- Glassware washer
Access to Scientific Resources- Vivariums
- Mass spectrometry analytical services
- Quantitative bioanalytical analysis services
- Scientific and regulatory consulting services
- Resident Incubation Program
The Resident Incubation Program is the premiere WMedIC offering. Resident incubation permits a client company's employees 24/7 access to dedicated laboratory and/or office space inside the Innovation Center. Through regular interaction with Innovation Center management, companies will receive business mentoring and guidance as well as access to numerous state, local, and university resources to advance their business and technology.
Program Features
- 58,000 s.f. of wet lab space (72 individual labs)
- A tiered rental rate system
- All-inclusive rental rate (internet, electricity, water, property taxes)
- Access to printer/scanner/copier and AV equipment
- Kalamazoo SmartZone
- Access to shared scientific equipment in the Launch MI Lab
- Reception service
- Procurement assistance and package shipping/receiving
- Access to a community of high-tech entrepreneurs
- Free hot beverages and monthly luncheons
- Mailing address
- Ample free parking
- Business library and resource center
- Access to funding opportunities
- Specialized events and trainings
Shared Laboratory Environment- Mass spectrometry system
- Centrifuges
- Autoclaves
- Various microscopes
- Incubators
- Refrigerators/freezers
- RO/DI water
- Flake ice machine
- Glassware washer
Access to Scientific Resources- Vivariums
- Mass spectrometry analytical services
- Quantitative bioanalytical analysis services
- Scientific and regulatory consulting services
- Skunk Works
The Skunk Works is a program designed for existing companies in the Kalamazoo area that are developing new technologies and are seeking an entrepreneurial environment in which to validate those technologies. To be eligible for the Skunk Works, applicants must have an existing local operation, be unable to support the proposed project in-house due to a lack of space or other specialized resource(s), and have a strong science/technology concept that requires small scale, short term validation.
Program Features
- Dedicated lab and/or office space at market rates
- All-inclusive rental rate (internet, electricity, water, property taxes)
- Access to printer/scanner/copier and AV equipment
- Kalamazoo SmartZone
- Access to shared scientific equipment in the Launch MI Lab
- Reception service
- Procurement assistance and package shipping/receiving
- Access to a community of high-tech entrepreneurs
- Free hot beverages and monthly luncheons
- Mailing address
- Ample free parking
- Business library and resource center
- Access to funding opportunities
- Specialized events and trainings
Shared Laboratory Environment- Mass spectrometry system
- Centrifuges
- Autoclaves
- Various microscopes
- Incubators
- Refrigerators/freezers
- RO/DI water
- Flake ice machine
- Glassware washer
Access to Scientific Resources- Vivariums
- Mass spectrometry analytical services
- Quantitative bioanalytical analysis services
- Scientific and regulatory consulting services
How to Apply
The next step in your life science, technology, or engineering venture is yours and we are ready to help you on that journey. We have several programs available to high-tech for-profit companies seeking entrepreneurial support.