At its annual conference in Minnesota, the International Business Innovation Association named UF Innovate | The Hub the global Mixed-Use Entrepreneurship Center of the Year. Close to 72 percent of the 9,000+ incubators worldwide are considered mixed-use; The Hub is top in a category of more than 6,500 incubators.


“Being recognized by your peers is one of the highest honors in our industry. We are honored UF Innovate | The Hub was selected,” said Mark Long, director of incubation services at UF. “This reflects the great staff, our wonderful clients and the awesome support we receive from the University of Florida!”


It awards high-impact entrepreneurship programs in four categories. A panel of judges considers criteria such as how the program integrates the activities of the broader economic development goals and strategies of the community, its mission statement and goals, the business services it provides clients, the types of programs and events, and a number of other impact indicators.


The InBIA is a global network of incubators, accelerators, and other entrepreneurship centers representing 62 countries. It is the largest member-based entrepreneurial support network in the world and the go-to organization for those dedicated to nurturing startups in their communities.


“We are proud of what we’ve accomplished in a short period of time,” Long said. “In 2018, we not only expanded to more than double our size, but we also reached full occupancy – which is almost unheard of. We grew by 120 percent last year!”

Opened in October 2011, UF Innovate | The Hub is a business incubator with a mission to build, drive and support the spirit of innovation. It offers state-of-the-art wet laboratory, light manufacturing and office space, along with advising, mentoring, education, programs and amenities to assist startups and small companies.

Located midway between downtown Gainesville and the UF campus, The Hub hosts a variety of small businesses; about half of its clients license technology based on university research.


Sid Martin Biotech, UF’s original business incubator opened in 1995, has twice won the InBIA’s Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year Award, in 2013 and 2017. UF is the first organization to have two incubators win the InBIA awards.


Reprinted from: http://innovate.research.ufl.edu/2019/04/17/uf-innovate-the-hub-named-mixed-use-entrepreneurship-center-of-2019/