CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – David Fonseca, Incubator Manager of the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, recently completed the National Business Incubation Association’s (NBIA) Incubator Management Certificate Program.
The educational program provides a comprehensive and practical overview of the tasks and responsibilities of managing business incubators, which are programs that accelerate the successful development of start-up and emerging companies by assisting with the entrepreneurial processes.
“The Incubator Management Certificate Program equipped me with a better understanding of how to accelerate commercialization of innovative business ideas,” said Fonseca. “We have increased value-added services and program offerings bringing the Innovation Center to a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness.”
To receive a certificate, incubator managers must complete a total of 24 hours of training that covers a range of topics, including financial sustainability strategies, guidelines to funding startups, strategic planning, efficient marketing strategies for incubators, and facilities management.
Launched in 2007, the certificate program is designed to enhance managers’ skills and to provide them with opportunities to gain ideas for building stronger relationships with key constituents, providing effective incubation services, ensuring incubator sustainability, and more. NBIA officials say receiving a certificate is a mark of distinction, verifying mastery of incubator governance, services, and policies.