Step 1 of 4

  • Eligibility & Application Process


    • • The Student Incubator is available to selected student-run startup companies.
    • • To be eligible for initial occupancy, the management team of each company must be made up of at least 50% currently enrolled students, either undergraduate or graduate level.
    • • All interested student businesses must fill out an application form to be considered for admission into the incubator.
    • • Companies must have completed a training program such as the NSF I-Corps Regional Course or Teams Program, or the Innov8 Entrepreneurial Training Program to be eligible for entry.
    • • The annual winner of the Mark Ain Business Model Competition will automatically qualify for admission into the Student Incubator.

  • Incubator Services & Benefits


    • • Free furnished space within the Student Incubator, including wireless internet access, and access to shared meeting rooms.
    • • Each student business will be assigned a mentor, who will provide coaching and guidance, and will help their teams establish quarterly milestone targets.
    • • Student Incubator companies will also have access to all client amenities within The Incubator at Sibley Square – this includes access to conference rooms, the multi-media center, shared copiers, printers, etc., as well as access to NextCorps' Director of New Ventures and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, who can provide additional coaching, mentoring, and connections.
    • • Student Incubator companies will receive a copy of the The Incubator at Sibley Square Handbook, which further explains the services and benefits of NextCorps, upon entering the Incubator.

  • Company Responsibilities


    • • Student Incubator companies agree to use the space only for the purpose described in the company’s application.
    • • All Student Incubator companies’ team members are required to sign the Space Use Agreement before occupying the Incubator. Use of the Student Incubator space is subject to the terms of the Space Use Agreement and the Student Incubator guidelines.
    • • The Space Use Agreement is valid for a period of up to one year upon entering the Student Incubator. The Space Use Agreement may be renewed upon mutual agreement between the company and the University of Rochester.
    • • Keys and access cards to The Incubator at Sibley Square are limited to student company team members and must not be shared with non-company personnel. Should new team members join the company, they must first sign the Space Use Agreement and agree to the guidelines of the Student Incubator, before entering the incubator.
    • • The student teams agree to provide quarterly updates to their mentor, which will include progress against agreed upon milestones, and financial reporting – to help companies begin to develop a regular reporting ‘rhythm’.

  • Exiting the Student Incubator


    • • If student companies fail to make progress on their agreed upon milestones for a period of six months or longer, they may be asked to exit the incubator.
    • • Once all original company team members have graduated from the University, they will no longer be eligible for free space and will begin to transition out of the Student Incubator (transition period not to exceed one year). During the transition period, companies will pay a discounted rent to the University (equal to $100/month per team member, up to $200/month maximum per company), beginning the first day of the month following the last team member’s graduation from the University. Companies in the transition period will be required to sign and be subject to the terms of a Space License Agreement, which will be provided before entering the transition period.
    • • “Graduates” of the Student Incubator will be encouraged to stay within The Incubator at Sibley Square, and become NextCorps client companies, to continue to receive coaching, mentoring, and incubation services. In such event, occupancy will be according to a separate agreement to be reached between the company and NextCorps.
  • Please review the above guidelines carefully. By signing in the space above, you agree to abide by the above guidelines if you are accepted into the University of Rochester Student Incubator.
Save and Continue Later

Preview ApplicationProgram Overview

Questions?

Contact Kathy Driscoll, Assistant Director of Career Management and Community Relations.