Apply Now for Incubator Space, RDG Funds

The First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) in Research Triangle Park is accepting applications from life-science entrepreneurs who need a good place to start their business.

FFVC has been incubating start-up companies for the past two decades, and has expanded its ability to help life science companies with the help of two Regional Development Grants from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Managers of First Flight were awarded a $62,307 RDG in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and another for $25,000 the following year to buy wet-lab support equipment that could be shared by life science start-ups at the facility.

Other organizations around the state interested in RDG funding to build regional commercial life-science capacity through collaborative projects have until September 7, 2011 to submit pre-proposals to the Biotechnology Center. For those selected, funding proposals will be due no later than November 9.

The grants have now helped FFVC to provide fully equipped office and wet-lab spaces to tenants, ranging from 115 to 400 square feet, according to Ronda Closner, FFVC entrepreneur-in-residence.

Standard wet labs in the facility now include not only the standard hoods, sinks, benches and cabinets, but now also provide access to useful components such as an ice maker, autoclave and dishwasher. Tenants may also lease additional tools including freezers, a refrigerated ultrafuge centrifuge, photo spectrometers and other industry-specific equipment.

FFVC is home to some 40 tenant companies from many domains working together to share common experiences. Three of them are “graduating” to new commercial space, opening opportunities for new tenants, said Closner.

Life Science entrepreneurs interested in applying for First Flight space can contact Closner by email at ronda@nctda.org and by phone at (919) 622-5000.