Niagara University’s Niagara Global Tourism Institute announced the affiliation of its emerging TReC Incubator with the Western New York Incubator Network.
TReC is the 11th member of the WNY Incubator Network (WIN). The incubator network members support almost 200 startups that have created hundreds of jobs and attracted more than $20 million in outside investment.
WIN is a collaborative effort of incubators and entrepreneurial service providers from Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties working together to turn the region into a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. The group shares best practices, networking, mentoring, educational, and financial resources to better assist incubator client companies.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be part of the Western New York Incubator Network. Our affiliation with the incubator network opens up Niagara County and its entrepreneurs to a host of resources not previously available to our area,” said Patrick Whalen, director of the NGTI. “This is especially important for the city of Niagara Falls, as the unprecedented overhaul of its downtown is setting the stage for a local economic renaissance.”
WIN is funded through the NYSTAR Innovation Hot Spot program, which offers a unique set of opportunities for companies in their earliest stages. As a member of the incubator network, TReC can assist fledgling companies in benefitting from WIN’s support system, which includes formal connections to the University at Buffalo; tax incentives for incubator companies; professional services, deals and discounts; SBIR/STTR assistance; and pitch prep services.
TReC, located at 616 Niagara St. in Niagara Falls, is a coworking incubation space with a mission to help would-be entrepreneurs formulate ideas and launch businesses. Operated by the Niagara Global Tourism Institute, TReC anchors a transformational live-work-play redevelopment of historic buildings in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
TReC’s tourism-technology focus is a unique asset in WNY designed to magnify the region’s existing momentum in the entrepreneurial and tourism fields. TReC works directly with entrepreneurs starting a new company from conceptualization to their eventual establishment in the community. In addition to WIN’s benefits, TReC provides startup companies with a full suite of services through its business incubator, including business plan development and implementation, mentoring, and guidance with legal and financial matters.
“As economic development practices have changed to focus on nurturing small businesses from their earliest stages, we felt that it was imperative for Niagara County to have a place where entrepreneurs can get the best help possible in taking their ideas for a new company from the drawing board to the real world. Becoming part of WIN helps us do just that,” Whalen said.
“TReC is a natural fit with WIN as we seek to support companies that will grow and thrive in Western New York,” said Tom Murdock, general manager of the WNY Incubator Network. “The natural asset of the Falls, combined with the business smarts of NGTI, represent an exciting opportunity to build forward-looking companies and jobs in Niagara Falls and beyond.”
With plans to open its doors in September 2019, TReC has already been selected by the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) to host its 2019 eBuilders Forum on Oct. 3-4, 2019. The conference is expected to bring 150 business incubation professionals from around the world to Niagara Falls.