Selection Criteria

The Boston University Business Incubation Program supports revolutionary technology, healthcare and life sciences business opportunities which contribute to the greater needs of society. Promising opportunities will meet selection criteria similar to industry standard investment criteria.

Prospective companies will demonstrate market driven business objectives, strong intellectual property, solid potential for revenue growth and the likelihood of attracting external financing. They will have expectations of steadily increasing equity valuation and a clear exit strategy. The experience and track record of the management team and advisors will be crucial.

In addition, the selection criteria will include an evaluation of how Boston University can add value to the company through institutional support and access to resources. It is expected that partner companies become an integral part of the Boston University community through collaboration with individual faculty, involvement with university programs and willingness to support students to enrich their educational experience in entrepreneurship. Priority will be given to companies that are working in areas closely related to the core technological competencies of Boston University.

Incubator companies can contribute to Boston University’s educational mission in a number of ways:

• They can be a source of senior year projects for the College of Engineering.
• They can be a source for legal projects through the Boston University  School of Law.
• They can be a source for strategy, marketing, and other projects in the School of Management.
• They can be a source of ideas for research in other departments.

By partnering with Boston University through the Incubation program, companies can lower operational costs and gain the institutional support and credentials to facilitate raising of capital, rapid product prototyping, and reduced risk.

There are three categories of ventures targeted for incubation:

Boston Univ. Spin-Outs	Companies founded by Boston University faculty or students to develop technologies invented by them, owned by the University, and licensed to the company.
Spin-Ins	Companies which are developing technologies not owned by Boston University, but which could make a positive contribution to the intellectual life of the University through their direct participation in Boston University programs and by providing technology on campus that is relevant to the research interests of at least one or more faculty members.
Established Companies	Venture-backed or venture-backable companies with no connection to Boston University will also be considered as an incubator candidate.  Each will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.