R.L. Engebretson, a Fargo-based architectural, construction and interior design firm has been selected as the architect for the technology-focused incubator building to be located in the NDSU Research and Tech Park. The exterior design (pictured below) was selected competitively from a total of five entrants. The building will be a three level facility containing 49,180 square feet of space and will be constructed in two phases. The anticipated completion of phase one is fall of 2005.

Incubators have been shown to improve the success rate of early-stage technology ventures by reducing start-up risks through an established process of support. The building will offer its occupants an attractive office space with shared services, a wet lab, a flexible manufacturing/dry lab space and related services at affordable prices. Entrepreneurs will also receive start-up support, coaching and mentoring, linkages to NDSU resources, and assistance with technology commercialization, licensing, and joint venture opportunities.

This incubator facility will serve as a hub of technology entrepreneurship throughout the state of North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Its mission statement is to provide proactive, value-added support to achieve technology venture formation and growth, student/faculty education and development, technology development and financial return.

The incubator will emphasize technology industries that complement research activities at NDSU and other universities in the North Dakota university system. Areas of emphasis include material sciences, bioscience and life science, information and computational technology, nanotechnology, and advanced manufacturing and electronics. The incubator will spur economic growth by adding jobs, tax contributions, and economic diversification to the region.

Construction costs are estimated at $6.7 million. Funds for the project are being sought through the state of North Dakota, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and private investors.