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SUNY Fredonia sets incubator launch

Business First of Buffalo - by Allissa Kline

Fredonia State College’s $5.7 million business technology incubator is set to open Dec. 21 in Dunkirk’s business district, the college said Monday.

The 21,000-square-foot facility will house up to 30 start-up and spin-off technology companies for up to three years at a time. Local businessman Robert Fritzinger, founder of two technology companies, has been named director of the facility. His latest venture, Zenhire Inc., will be among the first companies to occupy the incubator.

Construction of the two-story incubator began last fall. It will feature office space, meeting rooms and a “smart” conference room. Its goal is to help start-up and spin-off technology companies get established by providing shared space and business services such as accounting, marketing and legal needs. After three years, each company will be encourage to permanently settle in Western New York.

New York state already has pledged $4.7 million in bonded funds for the incubator. A $605,000 grant from the state’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation, or NYSTAR, will be used for programming support, while a $300,000 matching grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation was given earlier this year.

Additional companies set to lease space in the incubator will be announced during the Dec. 21 grand opening ceremony, to be held at 11 a.m. at 214 Central Ave. in Dunkirk.