What is the UAlbany Innovation Center? 

The UAlbany Innovation Center is an incubator program for the next generation of world-changing technology companies — particularly those who work in climate and environmental science, biomedical science and biotechnology, forensic sciences and cybersecurity, and advanced data analytics. 

Here, you’ll find the space, experts and collaborations your startup needs to succeed. 

 

UAlbany Innovation Center

 

Member Benefits 

Whether you’re just starting your business or looking to grow, we are invested in your success. Our supportive startup community offers several benefits.
 

Sustainable & Collaborative Space

The UAlbany Innovation Center is headquartered inside ETEC

The $180 million building, which opened in Fall 2021, is UAlbany’s technological centerpiece — housing a variety of inter-disciplinary academic and research units, as well as collaboration space for public/private partnerships. 

Startups that are conscious of their environmental footprint will feel right at home at ETEC, which is heated and cooled using geothermal technology and has LEED Platinum status. 

Inside the Innovation Center, members have access to WIFI, multiple conference rooms, a large multimedia room, video conferencing equipment, a digital media studio and a kitchen. 

Events & Programs

The UAlbany Innovation Center hosts regular events, workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, roundtable discussions and courses for its members.  

You’ll learn from industry leaders, state-of-the-art researchers and other experts, and meet business owners from around the region. 

Innovation Center members can also attend events hosted by Innovate 518.

Mentoring & Networking

Members have access to our entrepreneurs-in-residence, who can offer advice, mentoring and other guidance. Local service providers, including lawyers, marketers and accountants, also offer office hours in our space. 

Networking opportunities also abound. More than 40 research labs, over 200 faculty members and researchers, and several business partners are based in ETEC. Our team can help protect, market and license intellectual property developed at UAlbany. 

Financial Assistance & Tax Incentives

Members of the Innovation Center have access to fundraising assistance, such as grants, angel investors and venture capital. 

Our office and UAlbany's Office for Innovation Development and Commercialization matches companies and investor-backed ventures with UAlbany scientists and engineers so these teams can submit proposals to the federal Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs

We are ready to help entrepreneurs and small businesses — including those affiliated with UAlbany — compete for SBIR/STTR grant funding. 

In the SBIR program, the applicant company can engage a university for up to one-third of the budgeted phase I research and analytical effort.  

On the STTR side, the small business concern can meet program requirements by sub-awarding no less than 30 percent of the project to a research institution.  

Specifically, UAlbany offers companies access to: 

  • specialized equipment and protocols 

  • faculty subject-matter expertise 

  • test center services 

  • students/prospective hires 

  • complementary or core intellectual property rights 

Additionally, our members have access to Innovate 518, START-UP NY, and the Center of Excellence (COE) in Weather & Climate Analytics at UAlbany. 

Innovate 518, managed by UAlbany, brings together incubators and accelerators from across the Capital Region and allows startup companies to receive up to five years of tax exemption.  

START-UP NY, run by Empire State Development, helps new and expanding businesses through ten years of tax-based incentives and innovative academic partnerships. 

UAlbany’s Center of Excellence in Weather and Climate Analytics is New York State’s entrepreneurial hub for more than 120 researchers who are deeply engaged in advancing innovative weather and climate research applications with a variety of New York businesses. 

Membership Options 

Our affordable accommodations are suited for startups at any stage. Explore your options.
 

Coworking Desk

Rate: $125 per month 

Reserve an open coworking desk with access to private lockers. Take advantage of the Innovation Center’s member benefits. 

The UAlbany Innovation Center has 36 coworking desks. 

Parking: Temporary parking permits cost $5.40 per day, $46.20 per month or $105.60 per year. 

Private & Semi-private Office Space

Rates:  

  • One- to two-person private office: $325 per month 

  • Four-person semi-private cubicle: $500 per month 

Reserve a private, furnished office suite with workstations, locking file drawers and whiteboards. Take advantage of the Innovation Center’s member benefits. 

The UAlbany Innovation Center has 2 one- to two-person private offices and 3 four-person semi-private cubicles. 

Parking: Temporary parking permits cost $5.40 per day, $46.20 per month or $105.60 per year. 

Apply for Membership

 

Contact 

Maria Pidgeon, Director of Economic Development  
518-956-8216 | [email protected]