OAKLAND UNIVERSITY INCubator
Where ideas, discovery and entrepreneurship meet

What is a business incubator?

A business incubator accelerates the successful development of entrepreneurial companies by providing business support resources and start-up services. Business incubators are non-profit property developments that provide a range of business services in a nurturing and supportive environment.

New companies can minimize start-up overhead costs and preserve scarce working capital that can be better used by developing initial sales, partnerships, networks and customer relationships.

Housed on the campus of Oakland University in the Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion, in the heart of Oakland County, Michigan, the OU INCubator offers flexible office space, professional business services and access to capital and business development programs and resources. OU INC provides entrepreneurs with a unique environment to start-up, establish and grow successful businesses.

OU INC manages and operates the Oakland University SmartZone Business Incubation program by providing start-up, emerging and accelerated enterprises with a supported step into managed technology transfer and the commercialization-leasing environment.

Through the incubator, Oakland University will involve faculty, students and research centers to assist applied research, technology development, commercialization collaborations and business incubation for a moderate cost while drawing on a wide range of expertise across the OU community.

OU INCubator
Golf View Lane
Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309-4401
248-648-4800

Automation Alley
Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, drives growth in Southeast Michigan's economy

Automation Alley is a 501(c) 6 non-profit organization that drives growth and economic development through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives. Automation Alley attracts the creators and consumers of diverse technologies from a variety of industries around the world.

The Automation Alley region is home to more than 311,000 technology workers and 7,800 technology businesses. It encompasses Genesee County, Livingston County, Macomb County, Monroe County, Oakland County, St. Clair County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County and the City of Detroit.

"Leading the Way" promotional video featuring Govenor Jennifer Granholm

City of Rochester Hills

The City of Rochester Hills is the new horizon for living, working and prospering. Focused on the future, Rochester Hills is located in Oakland County, one of the wealthiest counties in America, and features a quality of life and commerce that few places can match. The focus is on people. With a residential population of 68,825, the City boasts quality housing; a downtown atmosphere that features a hospital, major university and shopping; two award-winning school districts that consistently rank near the top of Michigan schools in performance; and 1000 acres of parkland affording the community with endless recreational opportunities. The workforce is highly skilled and specialized and generally lives and plays in the community. Located along I-75 and M-59 and near to the World Headquarters of Daimler Chrysler, the City is situated in Automation Alley, the State's premier technology cluster, and is home to one of Michigan's ten SmartZones. Our business cluster includes a concentration of automotive, computer-based, and companies engaged in future fuel and other research focused on future technologies. Contact the Rochester Hills Economic Development Department at (248) 841-2577.

What is the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
The mission of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is to maximize the economic development potential of Downtown Rochester for the benefit of the community by maintaining an on going, comprehensive downtown management program with broad-based community involvement, seeking reuse of historic and architecturally significant buildings whenever possible, respecting the natural environment, and by preserving downtown's overall unique historical character.

Want to start a business in downtown Rochester? Contact the DDA at 248-656-0060!