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MedElements Medical Billing EnergetixClimate Green Consulting Carolina Launch Pad The Launch Pad is a pre - commercial business accelerator for early -stage information technology startups. It is located on the 5'h floor of the Europa Center. Participating businesses benefit from web hosting services provided by Renaissance Computing Institute, networking with staff of the School of Business and Office of Technology Development, and the use of office equipment. Its first class in 2008- 2009 consisted of 5 companies, which was a number determined by the space limitations of the facility. Small Business Technology Development Center at UNC - Chapel Hill The Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is the business and technology extension service of the UNC system and operates in partnership with the US Small Business Administration. The core services of SBTDC are extensive management counseling and market development for small to mid- sized companies. The office in Chapel Hill has 3 counselors. The SBTDC is also the Governors Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) assistance resource. SBIR is a competitive funding program which annually designates approximately $2.5 billion in federal funding for small businesses engaged in research and development activities. 53 of the 106 SBIR award winners in 2005 were clients of SBTDC. The Innovation Center at Carolina North The location historically most favored by companies spun -off from UNC has been Research Triangle Park (RTP). With 136 R &D facilities and more than 37,000 employees, RTP has indeed been a vital asset to the greater regional economy. However, as much of RTP lies in adjacent Durham County, it has poached the potential for commercial development within the borders of Orange County. However, a shift in momentum is stirring which will reclaim the fruits of commercial activity from UNC and constituent programs. The Innovation Center at Carolina North is expected to be completed in 2013 and is envisioned to be a "best-in-class" model of business accelerator facilities. Tenants within the 3 -story, 80,000 SF building on 8 acres will include UNC offices, commercialized companies, and tenants chosen by the property manager. Indeed, the Innovation Center will absorb a significant number of commercializing businesses. How will the County benefit? The Center will be funded, built and operated by a private developer, and the Special Use Permit stipulates that as long as the building is privately- owned, it will be subject to ad valorem taxation. Recommendations: A few recommendations can be offered which will help Orange County to capitalize upon technology commercialization and entrepreneurial activity at UNC - Chapel Hill. These recommendations are: 891 Page