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The University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer, and Economic Outreach (STOR) is UB's interface between the inventive work of laboratory research and the applied commercial development that brings the benefits of that work to market. The Funding Division assists researchers in finding 'gap' funding for development and commercialization activities. The New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) at the University at Buffalo provides gap funding to support the creation of technology prototypes or proof-of-concept, with assistance from an industry partner. Located near University of Buffalo's Amherst Campus, the incubator is a 40,000-square-foot multi-tenant facility subdivided into offices and lab suites ranging from 277 square feet to more than 2,000 square feet. The space is suitable for office operations, research and development, assembly, or light manufacturing. The UB Technology Incubator, located in the Baird Research Park, supports the creation of new technology-based businesses by providing affordable business services to entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 1988, the program has assisted more than sixty tenants and graduates, boasting a 75 percent survival rate. Aggregate employment by those companies is 455 people, and annual revenues exceed $60 million. The business incubation program provides assistance in four main areas: Flexible rental terms for office and wet laboratory space; Administrative support services; General business assistance in the form of coaching, counseling, mentoring and networking; and access to UB resources, facilities and purchasing power. The incubator is affiliated with the Western New York Business Development Fund, which provides seed capital for area high-tech businesses. Both the incubator (and park) emphasize formation of international networks for furthering global business expansion, and currently has companies or networking relationships from Canada, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan and India. The Bruce Holm Memorial Catalyst Fund was established by an anonymous donation of $1 million to support commercializing the discoveries and inventions of UB Faculty. The $1 million donation was made as a match challenge, and will be used to finance prototype development, proof-of-concept studies and other research that will advance UB faculty inventions and translate them into useful products and treatments to benefit society.
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