ATHENS, Ohio -- The Innovation Center, Ohio University's business incubator, is accepting applications for admission from startup or emerging companies that are technology-oriented or that support or supply technology businesses.

Director Linda Clark defines "technology company" in the broad sense. To qualify for admission, startup or emerging companies can have a new innovation, a new technology to improve a current product or process, or a new way to use existing technology. The incubator also houses professional service companies that provide support to or supply technology companies.

Companies do not have to be affiliated with the university in any way to be accepted. About half the companies in the center are from the community and half have emerged from within the university.

The Innovation Center is moving in July to a new facility at 340 West State Street with more space and a full range of amenities. Companies will have access to state of the art wet labs with shared research equipment such as centrifuges, super-low-temperature freezers and autoclaves; shared office equipment; conference and meeting rooms; high-speed Internet connections and other amenities.

The monthly program fee includes a full line of business assistance services -- such as help with business planning, marketing, intellectual property management and finding sources of capital. University and entrepreneurship experts are available to provide advice. The program fee also includes flexible space. Office suites come in a wide variety of sizes, and many are set up for R & D operations.

Application and acceptance into the Innovation Center program involves several simple steps. Interested entrepreneurs must fill out an application form (available for download from the Web site, www.innovationcenter.ohiou.edu, or by calling 593-1818) and submit it along with a current business plan.

Some applicants may be admitted into the Innovation Center Affiliate Program. Affiliates receive business assistance and other Innovation Center services but do not reside in the incubator.

Also located with the incubator is the Ohio University Technology Transfer Office, which manages and licenses the university's intellectual property and evaluates the commercial potential of faculty, staff and student inventions. Staff there often are able to extend their knowledge to nonuniversity companies, too.

In existence since 1983, the Innovation Center is the oldest university-based incubator in Ohio.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.innovationcenter.ohiou.edu or contact Linda Clark at (740) 593-1818.