Center Launches Incubator To Champion Growth Of Small Businesses

Washington, D.C. – The National Women’s Business Center, Inc. (the Center), a non-profit organization serving women business owners at all stages of business development, today announced the opening of an incubator in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., to stimulate growth of small businesses and start-up companies. Eight early-stage businesses will have the opportunity to jumpstart their companies by availing themselves of an outfitted office environment and critical resources focused on boosting growth.

“Our goal in starting this business incubator is to serve as a springboard for new and existing one-person companies looking to grow their businesses,” said Penny Pompei, President of the National Women’s Business Center. “Not only do we provide them with the basic tools, such as telephones, computers and desk space in a prestigious downtown location, we offer them an energized office environment of equally invigorated entrepreneurs pursuing similar goals. The value-add for these start-ups is that they are co-located with the Center and its extensive resources focused on accelerating growth and success.”

According to the National Business Incubation Association, business incubators reduce the risk of small business failures. In 2001 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 35,0000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for nearly 82,000 works and generated annual earnings of more than $7 billion.

The Center’s incubator program extends to eight small businesses the prime location in downtown D.C., of Connecticut Avenue and K Street, N.W., without any long term lease requirements or personal guarantees. These start-ups and one-person shops are provided with all the office amenities including a computer, high speed Internet access, 202 area code telephone and voice mail services, personal office space with desk and chair and office equipment and supplies. In addition, these growing businesses receive two hours of personal business coaching each month from the highly experienced staff at the National Women’s Business Center.

“We are committed to helping small businesses at every stage of development grow and prosper. Start-up companies have their own unique challenges and our incubator delivers the necessities so these business owners can focus on the more critical needs to get their businesses off and running. With only eight spaces available and a low monthly rent of $675, this opportunity will go fast,” stressed Ms. Pompei, “so we encourage interested start-ups to act quickly to open their new office headquarters.”