DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – In less than a year, nearly a dozen up-and-coming companies have been accepted as clients of the University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport.
The companies – which range from an engineering firm to a gun manufacturer to a rainwater distributor – bring the number of clients at the Daytona Beach office to 11, according to Doris “Connie” Bernal, the facility’s site manager.
“When we opened nearly a year ago, we had one client and office space for 20 more,” she said. “We have interviewed almost 50 entrepreneurs, most of whom have great ideas; however, only 15 have been accepted. Some applicants are going to take the next Excellence in Entrepreneurship class as a prerequisite to become a part of the program.”
The incubator – a partnership between UCF, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council – is designed to help start-up companies as well as established businesses. The companies that rent incubator space receive assistance in the form of mentoring and coaching; educational programs; marketing and public relations; access to seminars; networking with peers; inexpensive office space with shared reception, conference rooms, office equipment and support services; as well as paid memberships in a number of organizations.
Current clients are: AbM Engineering, a firm that offers engineering services to small businesses who otherwise can't afford or don't have the need for full-time engineers. The company, which specializes in mechanical, aerospace, drafting and software engineering, also offers CAD training and lean consulting. Founded in 2003, AbM is owned by Dr. Magdy Attia.
With 28 years of experience in construction management, Best3Bids’ owner Mike Bowen has created a web-based company that simplifies the process of getting three bids for construction projects. Consumers can choose from 90 categories in the home-improvement and construction industries. B3B LLC also assists contractors by connecting them with potential customers.
Robert Skelton’s BestiProducts LLC developed the iEraser™ as the company’s flagship product. The iEraser is unparalleled in its ability to clean fingerprints and smudge from glass- screened tablets, monitors and flat screen TVs.
Better Firearms Designs Inc. is a gun manufacturer owned by Cliff Benjamin who has a patent on a gas-retarded blowback system that provides a cost-effective way to refit 1911 pistols.
Mike Panebianco’s Bounce Forward LLC is a new firm that offers e-training for educational institutions, businesses and personal use. Bounce Forward delivers online courses to niche industry markets, such as an English-as-a-second-language course for the hospitality industry.
Choose Rain LLC, a company that collects and bottles rainwater in biodegradable and recyclable bottles, has an Ormond Beach facility that can capture 2.2 million gallons of rainwater annually from its 75,000-square-foot roof. Owner Larry Curran said the eco-friendly water is an alternative to other bottled waters on the market.
Delta Dynamic Developments (3-D), a company started by Florida Eye Research and Surgical Therapy (F.E.R.S.T.) Institute owner Dr. Allen T. Jackson has developed a new eye drop for dry eyes and is working on other medically-related products to enhance and maintain health.
Festival Designs, LLC -- owned by CEO Scott Chesley -- is an innovative company that specializes in festival creation and management. Festival Designs provides consulting, design management and measurement systems for all aspects of festival operations.
Founded by Jeremy Durfee, Healthy You Wellness Centers offers affordable, innovative options that improve members’ access to primary-care medical services, while creating a healthier approach to life through educational and coaching services.
Klein-Yaney Media LLC, a creative new-age integrated media company, offers advertising and marketing solutions from concept to completion. Media strategist and CEO Kimberly Yaney√ boasts a full-service product line.
Brian Hartley, owner of The Body Shield Inc., developed a hygienic workout towel made from pine that is designed for the health and fitness industry. The company has numerous celebrity and other endorsements, and has plans for several other products in the future.
The Daytona Beach incubator’s unique mixture of companies works well, Bernal said.
“We have an eclectic mix of clients here,” she said. “And, the best part is that not only do they gain knowledge and experience from the mentors and coaches, but they also learn from one another.”
July 27 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. the UCF Daytona Beach Business Incubator will celebrate its one-year anniversary and will give an award to the Entrepreneur of the Year. “Please save the date and come and see which of the eleven entrepreneurs will win the award,” Bernal added.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
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