IGNITE Tallahassee Incubator Program

About

A Florida State University-supported business incubator in Innovation Park offers early-stage technology ventures laboratory and office space, mentorship, commercialization guidance and programming to help them scale.

Benefits

• 🧪Facilities access
  Selected incubator clients have access to private and shared wet and dry labs, secure offices, meeting rooms and flexible co-working spaces in the 40,000-square-foot Innovation Park facility.
• 🧭Mentorship and commercialization support
  Selected clients receive expert mentorship, commercialization guidance, investor access and funding strategy support.
• 🤝Programming and network
  Selected clients can participate in IGNITE business programs and seminars, with programming cited on SBIR/STTR proposal writing, intellectual property strategy and startup growth.
• 📈Shared lab equipment
  Members can use shared labs and specialized equipment such as incubators, pH meters, freeze dryers, vortex mixers and ultra-low freezers.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be registered to conduct business in Florida
• Must pass a background check
• Must demonstrate clear alignment with FSU, IGNITE and community partners
• Must present a well-defined business model
• Must offer technology innovation with a proprietary advantage central to the venture’s business model
• Must show high growth potential
• Must be an early-stage venture in R&D or process development phase
• The program does not accept service-only labs, lifestyle companies, contract research organizations without a strong innovation focus, or SBIR factories lacking clear commercial intent
• Bio-manufacturing companies and those seeking clinical trial sites are not a good fit
• FSU affiliation or an FSU technology license is not required
• IGNITE is not a student incubator; interested FSU students should contact the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship’s Center for Student Engagement

Participation Commitments

• Complete an application through online submission or by contacting the program directly
• Admissions decisions are made at the sole discretion of the IGNITE Leadership Team and the IGNITE Vetting Committee
• Applicants who are not accepted may reapply every six months or upon invitation from the IGNITE Leadership Team
• Commit at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) to the venture
• Provide economic impact data to the program periodically, as requested
• Actively engage with advisory support to advance strategic priorities, as appropriate to the venture’s stage of development
• Participate in at least one IGNITE business program annually or attend three or more seminars each quarter
• Provide financial statements periodically, as requested by the program
• Commit to making meaningful progress toward graduation from the incubation program within an appropriate or reasonable timeframe
• Acknowledge IGNITE FSU as a key partner on the company’s main website

Target Region

Applicants must be registered to conduct business in Florida.

Target Sector

Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Other