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Expert to Join Incubator

By Susan Chiappone

January 03, 2010 
 

DUNKIRK — An entrepreneur joining with other new and evolving business partners at the incubator site in Dunkirk will have many benefits, including an on-site partner representing 10 universities in Japan.

Hiroko Sato a economics expert from Japan, will be representing the universities at the incubator for the next four months. Her goal is building the network between local companies and the Japanese universities. She said she hopes to learn more about American business culture and help to educate entrepreneurial business people in some of the Japanese ways of business.

The relationship with Japanese universities has been building for about 20 years. Fredonia State College professors have visited the schools, and their counterparts have spent time in Chautauqua County. The investment in socialization and communication is expected to provide a unique opportunity for the start-ups at the incubator site.

Robert Fritzinger, director of the incubator, stressed that the entrepreneurs who participate in the program are all looking for ways to gain customers.

"There really is only one marketplace, and it is global," he said. Having an international business professional on site, as a consultant will provide some insight into how to break into international markets.

The universities that Hiroko represents have many areas of expertise. Among their specialties are research in helping to obtain international patents for products. The process can be long and detailed, and the end result can open doors by protecting the investor and helping to communicate the product benefits.

She explained that the Japanese prefer business methods that employ socialization and communication. She said American business deals often seem too fast-paced for the Japanese model, so she hopes to learn from her experiences to help the entrepreneurs in her own country. During her stay, Japanese educators and business people will visit and learn about the incubator as well as the culture of northern Chautauqua County.

Fritzinger said the networking concept can help new businesses on many levels. Currently there are seven start-up enterprises at the incubator that opened Dec. 21. There are applications for 13 more. The building could house up to 31 small businesses.

While it is supported by Fredonia State College, it is located in the City of Dunkirk, where Mayor Richard Frey hopes the incubator will draw businesses to the area.

The site is near the recently developed harbor area. The last two years brought a boardwalk project with several small businesses and a new apartment building featuring upscale living near the water front.

The process for joining the incubator site involves proposing the idea to the director and some board members. Before an entrepreneur can join in, he or she has to be aware of the risks and responsibilities. Each of the concepts is reviewed for its potential and the contribution in may provide to the entire facility. Businesses may stay in the incubator environment for up to three years.

The new companies in the incubator must have a goal of launching in the area.

"We are not office space," said Fritzinger. "In fact we will know we are successful if someone in this area has to build space for our graduated businesses to occupy."