Marlboro College Technology Center in high gear

Vermont Business Magazine, Nov 01, 2001

The Marlboro College Technology Center was established in October of 2000 with $4 million in private foundation support and a $500,000 federal grant. The mission of the Marlboro College Technology Center is to attract and support businesses seeking an affordable site, high-level technical infrastructure, good quality of life and a highly qualified, welleducated workforce, to synergize the skills and resources among tenant companies and educational programs, and to thereby expand regional economic development.

A modern, corporate facility, easily accessible from Interstate 91, and overlooking the Connecticut River, the Marlboro College Technology Center is a 60,000 sq. ft. commercial property at 28 Vernon Street in Brattleboro, Vermont. The property consists of high-quality office space on five floors, with ample parking and walk-in access on multiple levels. (See images and additional information at: www.techcenter.mariboro.edu.)

The college occupies approximately 45 percent of the building with The Graduate Center of Marlboro College offering the nation's first master's level programs in Internet Strategy Management, Internet Engineering, and Teaching with Internet Technologies. These innovative programs are producing leaders in the field, and have been featured widely in the national media, including in Forbes' Executive Edge, CIO Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Internet Week, E-Commerce Business, Atlantic Monthly, Mass High Tech, The Boston Globe, and Newsweek. (See www.gradcenter.marlboro.edu.)

Companies may be selected for inclusion in The Technology Center under a variety of scenarios:

A traditional lease arrangement for a new or existing company, whereby the company may enjoy the benefits of the building's technology-rich environment and the intellectual capital and synergies available to them through the graduate programs, other tenant companies, and the additional network of resources The Technology Center offers

Support for a start-up company whereby, in addition to all of the benefits cited above, Marlboro offers 'Significant rent relief, proactive involvement in the company's efforts to connect with potential funding sources, Graduate Center talent, business and management consulting and other relevant resources, and a greater degree of the Technology Center's technical and operations support, in exchange for which Marlboro negotiates an equity stake in that company

Membership in the Technology Center launch pad, for graduates of Marlboro's graduate programs. The launch pad offers a turn-key office environment, computer systems, and full professional and support services for a limited number of entrepreneurs with viable business plans, who need time to refine their business idea and plan for its development. There is only a nominal monthly charge, and Marlboro negotiates an equity stake in the company

Current tenant companies include:

Websound, Inc., which creates and delivers branded Internet radio to e-commerce and lifestyle-oriented Websites

Delta Development, a business development consulting firm

Growing Design, a full-service e-commerce Website design and development company

USDA Rural Development

Stratford Publishing Services, Inc.

University of Vermont extension

Spring Tree Maple Products

The Technology Center offer a series of seminars available for all tenant companies and alumni launch pad participants, as well as graduate students and alumni. The seminars feature experts in various aspects of business operations, including legal issues, venture capital, angel funding and other investment options, marketing, business plan development, human resource issues, accounting, marketing, technology, taxes, project management, Web design and more.

The seminars provide immediately useful advice, and also an opportunity for our tenants, students and graduates to develop relationships with the presenters and their companies, frequently at discounted rates, as they build their network of business resources. Tenant companies are also invited to participate in Graduate Center special presentations, Technology Center conferences and other networking events and opportunities. Tenant companies also receive promotional support as appropriate.

If you would like to learn more about the Marlboro College Technology Center, and potential opportunities for locating your existing company or launching a new company in this dynamic environment, contact Maria Basescu, Director of External Affairs, 802-258-9211 or mbasescu@techcenter.marlboro.edu.