Business Incubators

Oakland is home to the Communications Technology Cluster (CTC), a business incubator providing strategic consulting and business services for companies in various technology industries. While CTC provides the environment and assistance, the passionate entrepreneur provides the will to achieve success. CTC offers full service, furnished executive suites and shared business services; one-on-one coaching and advising; structured education programs and conferences; high quality, startup-friendly professional services partners; and connections to funding sources.

During 1999 and 2000, CTC graduated 15 companies. These companies have raised $250 million in angel and venture investment and created over 700 jobs in downtown Oakland. Virtually all of these graduates are either successfully in operation or were acquired at good valuations. One of the first CTC graduate companies, Tucker Technology, has been in the top ten of Inc. Magazine’s Inner City 100 all four years the Inner City 100 list has been published. To learn more about the CTC, visit www.ctcluster.com or call 510.836.8985.

The Oakland Small Business Growth Center’s mission is to build local enterprises, create jobs, increase sales and profitability, and improve the tax base. The Center provides technical assistance in business development, marketing, cash flow analysis, and business principles. The Center offers below market rent, copying, fax service, and a conference room. Since the Center doesn’t target any specific industry, all businesses are welcome to sign a lease. For more information including entrance criteria, call the Center at 510.553.0675.

Libra Digital is a high-technology incubator and venture catalyst located in Oakland. Libra partners consult with software, biotechnology and Internet startup companies. Libra Digital co-founders, Joel Bellenson and Dexster Smith, were also the founders of bioinformatics pioneer and leader, Pangea Systems Inc. For more information, call 510.208.2244.