Amitabh Sharma
Features Coordinator

"If you have an idea, come to us, we might be able help you out," said Dionne Palmer, incubator manager of the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech).

Nestled on the UTech campus, the TIC is primarily an incubation centre that provides a support system for start-ups. "we provide a range of services, which include managing their business and training programmes for entrepreneurs." Palmer said.

She added that, "the entrepreneurs define a timeline to grow and evolve, which is usually three to four years."

Technology driven
Palmer said that the thrust area for TIC is technology. "We have a majority of clients who are into information technology as a core business," she informed. "We have clients from software development firms, IT consultants and architecture firms."

Training
She said that at TIC they give training on various aspects of business and deve-lopment. "We give training primarily on taxation, human resources and business etiquette. In 2009 we propose to go through strategic planning."

Other training includes project management and intellectual property rights. "We also encourage them to participate in seminars and presentations, both on and off campus," Palmer said.

As a way forward, TIC will starting a mentorship programme in the new year. "We will link older clients to new ones. It will help them to network," Palmer said.

Advantage
Palmer said apart from their strategic and safe location, the TIC also has access to various resources of UTech. "It is an advantage to be in the university. We have access to information and experts."

In addition, she said, the clients have access to students, many of whom have been employed.

"We are also getting students coming to start off their own business, which is encouraging," she said.

Palmer informed that TIC is the only fully operational incubator within Jamaica and the first within the English speaking Caribbean.

"Currently, UTech, along with the TIC, is assisting in the development of a business incubator within the Commonwealth of Dominica and collaborates with various partners within Jamaica to give support to entrepreneurs," she said.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com

For further information contact Technology Innovation Centre, University of Technology, Jamaica 237 Old Hope Road, Phone: (876) 512-2500/5 or email at information@ticjamaica.com.


Selection criteria for TIC:

Each potential client must meet with the Incubator manager present a business plan, which must consist of three (3) year financial projections. The client is then required to present the plan to a panel and convince the panel that the business idea is sound and viable. Upon selection, the client is offered an office suite and the following services:

✓ Training

✓ Business monitoring

✓ Utilities

✓ Security

✓ Security pass to the building

✓ Two (2) Identification cards

✓ One (1) parting space per suite

✓ Voicemail services

✓ Light janitorial service

✓ Networking activities

✓ Complimentary use of meeting rooms

✓ Access to the University's experts and students

✓ 24 hours, 7 days-per-week access to the office suite and common areas

The TIC also offers opportunities for clients who do not need office space or who are operating a part-time business. This is the Virtual Tenancy Programme, where three packages are offered to meet the needs of these entrepreneurs.