The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) is the world's leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands of professionals with the information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies worldwide.

The association is composed primarily of incubator developers and managers, but technology commercialization specialists, educators and business assistance professionals are also well represented. Its mission is to provide training and a clearinghouse for information on incubator management and development issues and on tools for assisting start-up and fledgling firms.

Throughout the year, NBIA offers development activities and specialized training to help business assistance professionals create and administer effective incubation programs. NBIA also conducts research, compiles statistics and produces publications that provide hands-on approaches to developing and managing effective programs. In addition, the association tracks relevant legislative initiatives and maintains a speakers' bureau and referral service. It creates partnerships with leading private-sector and public-sector entities to further the interests of the industry and its members.

The National Business Incubation Association is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization based in Athens, Ohio. An elected, 15-member voting board of directors representing the world's leading incubators governs the association.

Who belongs to NBIA?

NBIA serves more than 1,700 members in over 50 nations. While incubator managers and developers make up a large share of NBIA’s membership base, the association also represents other interested individuals and groups. Approximately 25 percent of the NBIA membership is from outside the United States.

How does the performance of NBIA members compare with that of other incubation programs?

NBIA or other professional association membership does not guarantee success, but having access to a wealth of industry resources and a support group of professionals to turn to for advice when times get tough makes the challenges of operating an incubation program more manageable. As a result, NBIA member incubators generally outperform their nonmember counterparts.

• NBIA member programs offer more business assistance services have higher staffing levels and serve more clients.
• Clients of member incubators create more full-time jobs than clients of nonmember incubators.
• Average revenue at NBIA member incubation programs is more than double that at nonmember programs.

Source: 2006 State of the Business Incubation Industry

What is NBIA’s mission?

NBIA advances the business creation process to increase entrepreneurial success and individual opportunity, strengthening communities worldwide. To accomplish this mission, NBIA serves as a clearinghouse of information on incubator management and development issues. The association engages in many activities that support members’ professional development, including

• Organizing conferences and specialized trainings
• Conducting research and compiling statistics on the incubation industry
• Producing publications that describe practical approaches to business incubation
• Consulting with governments and corporations on incubator development

NBIA Objectives

• Provide information, research and networking resources to help members develop and manage successful business incubation programs
• Monitor and disseminate information about industry developments, trends and best practices
• Inform and educate leaders, potential supporters and stakeholders of the significant benefits of business incubation
• Build public awareness of business incubation as a valuable business development tool
• Expand capacity to create valuable resources for members and our member’s members through partnerships
• Engage and represent all segments of the business incubation industry
• Create value for members