College recognized for fostering industry partnerships and supporting entrepreneurship through the ACC Bioscience Incubator

Austin Community College was awarded a “College of Excellence Award” from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) for its work at the ACC Bioscience Incubator in fostering industry partnerships and supporting entrepreneurship.

The college is one of five institutions nationwide and in Canada recognized by NACCE.

“The awards recognize innovative work that members are doing,” says Rebecca Corbin, NACCE president/CEO. “By winning this award, community colleges enhance their credibility to document success and attract investment in entrepreneurship in their local community.”

ACC established the Bioscience Incubator in February 2017 to support startup companies commercializing technologies in biotech and healthcare and provide students with real-world training opportunities. Funded in part through a $4.9 million economic develop grant from the State of Texas, the facility provides much-needed wet-lab space in Central Texas and is the only wet lab at a Texas community college. To date, it has accepted 16 companies and hosted over 800 visitors from 10 countries.

“We’re bridging gaps in the research-to-product cycle and helping our local businesses thrive,” says Dr. Tyler Drake, ACC Bioscience Incubator director. “It’s an honor to be recognized for those efforts.”

The 2018 College of Excellence Award Winners are:

• Algonquin College – Ottawa, Ontario
• Austin Community College – Austin, Texas
• College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, Illinois
• North Iowa Area Community College – Mason City, Iowa
• Wake Technical Community College – Raleigh, North Carolina

For more information about the ACC Bioscience Incubator, visit austincc.edu/incubator.

Tags: ACC Bioscience Incubator, Bioscience, College of Excellence Award, entrepreneurship, innovation, NACCE, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, Tyler Drake, wet lab