The incubator offers extensive business assistance to its clients. The incubator works with the Wake Forest Angell Center of Entrepreneurship and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts to assist its clients with mentoring, advice, and other assistance. Specific types of assistance are described below.
Guidance from the BDI director
The BDI director and staff are available by appointment to provide advice on a wide range of business issues.
Business plan critique and review
The entrepreneurship resources at Wake Forest are available to assist with business plans. Frequently there are also courses that may be audited with permission of the instructor.
Periodic networking and learning opportunities
There are numerous seminars and events (see events page) that take place to assist the entrepreneur. One such seminar is the Frameworks! series being offered monthly by the incubator.
Access to Board of Advisors for advice and consultation
The incubator has a highly qualified board of advisors. Often these advisors are willing to advise an early stage company after an introduction is made.
Introductions to regional investor groups
The incubator works closely with regional investment groups and local angel groups in particular. Introductions can be made to the Piedmont Angel Network (PAN) and the Inception Micro Angel Fund (IMAF) as well as to other venture capital firms.
Introductions to Wake Forest faculty for potential advice and mentoring
Many people on the Wake Forest faculty enjoy assisting early stage companies. Introductions can be made and depending on interest by the faculty member assistance may be given. See the lists of graduate business school faculty and undergraduate business school faculty. Medical school faculty have to be searched by department. Other faculty that might be interested in new ventures can be found by searching appropriate departments.
Introduction and coordination with regional entrepreneurial support organizations
The incubator works closely with regional entrepreneurial support organizations such as the NC Biotechnology Center and the Center for Design Innovation). The incubator can assist the entrepreneur with selecting appropriate partners and making introductions.
SBIR/STTR funding advice
The incubator works closely with the SBTDC Technology group which is the state resource for the area. The incubator can assist with grant strategy and resource introductions as required.
Tech transfer advice and assistance
The incubator staff has experience in working with tech transfer offices and can assist with licensing strategy and introductions to the areas tech transfer groups.
Notification of important regional networking and presentation events
The incubator continuously watches for important events and posts this information on the events page.
Access to pre-qualified service providers
The incubator and its clients have worked with a range of service providers and can provide introductions to the companies and help clients determine which company might be best for the client.