University of Technology

The TIC is a business incubator at the University of Technology, Jamaica, that provides support and training opportunities to start-up technology based businesses.

The TIC has Advisory and Office Services as well as a Business Advisory Network that provides the kinds of support services that new and existing business need.

The TIC is geared to provide flexible office space and/or light industrial space as well as access to an enviable package of business support services second to none.

The TIC has an enviable record of providing expert business formation and development training programs.

The Latest Training Items Include:
Comprehensive Business Planning for Success

Retail Management for Managers and Supervisors

Engaging Employees to Sustain High Performance

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Nurturing business ideas
 
 
 Amitabh Sharma
 Features Coordinator
 
 "If you have an idea, come to us, we might be able help you out," said Dionne Palmer, incubator manager of the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech).
 
 Nestled on the UTech campus, the TIC is primarily an incubation centre that provides a support system for start-ups. "we provide a range of services, which include managing their business and training programmes for entrepreneurs." Palmer said.
 
 She added that, "the entrepreneurs define a timeline to grow and evolve, which is usually three to four years."
 
 Technology driven
 Palmer said that the thrust area for TIC is technology. "We have a majority of clients who are into information technology as a core business," she informed. "We have clients from software development firms, IT consultants and architecture firms."
 
 Training
 She said that at TIC they give training on various aspects of business and deve-lopment. "We give training primarily on taxation, human resources and business etiquette. In 2009 we propose to go through strategic planning."
 
 Other training includes project management and intellectual property rights. "We also encourage them to participate in seminars and presentations, both on and off campus," Palmer said.
 
 As a way forward, TIC will starting a mentorship programme in the new year. "We will link older clients to new ones. It will help them to network," Palmer said.
 
 Advantage
 Palmer said apart from their strategic and safe location, the TIC also has access to various resources of UTech. "It is an advantage to be in the university. We have access to information and experts."
 
 In addition, she said, the clients have access to students, many of whom have been employed.
 
 "We are also getting students coming to start off their own business, which is encouraging," she said.
 
 Palmer informed that TIC is the only fully operational incubator within Jamaica and the first within the English speaking Caribbean.
 
 "Currently, UTech, along with the TIC, is assisting in the development of a business incubator within the Commonwealth of Dominica and collaborates with various partners within Jamaica to give support to entrepreneurs," she said.
 
 amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com
 
 For further information contact Technology Innovation Centre, University of Technology, Jamaica 237 Old Hope Road, Phone: (876) 512-2500/5 or email at information@ticjamaica.com.
 
 
 Selection criteria for TIC:
 
 Each potential client must meet with the Incubator manager present a business plan, which must consist of three (3) year financial projections. The client is then required to present the plan to a panel and convince the panel that the business idea is sound and viable. Upon selection, the client is offered an office suite and the following services:
 
 ✓ Training
 
 ✓ Business monitoring
 
 ✓ Utilities
 
 ✓ Security
 
 ✓ Security pass to the building
 
 ✓ Two (2) Identification cards
 
 ✓ One (1) parking space per suite
 
 ✓ Voicemail services
 
 ✓ Light janitorial service
 
 ✓ Networking activities
 
 ✓ Complimentary use of meeting rooms
 
 ✓ Access to the University's experts and students
 
 ✓ 24 hours, 7 days-per-week access to the office suite and common areas
 
 The TIC also offers opportunities for clients who do not need office space or who are operating a part-time business. This is the Virtual Tenancy Programme, where three packages are offered to meet the needs of these entrepreneurs.
 
 Last updated: December 03, 2008
 
 © Copyright Jamaica Gleaner
 
 
 Jamaican businesses must market their products to employees first of all if they are going to have any success convincing consumers, advises Nadine Haughton, managing director of start-up company Brand Warriors.
 
 Interviewed by the Business Observer at the company's office at the University of Technology (UTech) Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), Haughton reasoned that all employees can play a vital part in any marketing effort: Firstly as potential consumers with valuable feedback and secondly as employees expected to represent the company's brand and products.
 
 "You would think that it is the norm, but too many times that's where you get the negatives, when an employee tells a customer 'I work here but I don't know what that product is.' But that cannot work!"

Most recent news events

2008-12-12 - TIC Celebrates 1st Global Business Incubation Day
2008-09-14 - An office without walls
2008-05-10 - TIC signs MOU with the Corporate Finance Broker Unit, Jamaica Trade & Invest
Download PDF file - The TIC featured in a story about business incubation

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Most recent press releases

2004-03-17 - Lee Chin pledges US1M to TIC
2004-03-12 - UTECH/TIC PARTNERS WITH IBM WORLD TRADE CORP.
2004-03-03 - Technology Innovation Centre/Exim Partnership

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