The Ben Craig Center

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Ben Craig Center's relationship with UNC Charlotte ?

The Ben Craig Center serves as the University’s entrepreneurial resource and is fully integrated with the business engagement mission of the Charlotte Research Institute. The university chancellor and other senior officers serve on the Center board of directors. Since the Center’s inception in 1986, the University has provided substantial financial and human resource support. The Center is located in a building owned by the University Foundation.

Who is Ben Craig?

Mr. Ben T. Craig served as the organization’s first board of directors’ chairperson. Mr. Craig was a leader within the Charlotte community and served as an executive with First Union National Bank (now part of Wells Fargo). Mr. Craig, a native of Gastonia, NC and a graduate of Davidson College, died of cancer in 1988.

Can any company become a Ben Craig Center client-tenant?

The Ben Craig Center serves innovation-based entrepreneurs building significant businesses. Companies typically become client-tenants at the start-up and early-growth stages. Eligible companies typically have these characteristics:

¨       For-profit business
¨       Value proposition based on innovative technology, business process or business model
¨       A scalable business model with high growth potential
¨       Initial funding committed and funding for next 12 months identified
¨       Coachable management interested in benefiting from the Center’s programs.

Who is not eligible to become a Ben Craig Center client-tenant?

The Ben Craig Center seeks to engage with companies where the Center’s expertise can contribute to venture success and where the venture success expands the Charlotte region’s economic output. Organizations that are unlikely to become client-tenants include
¨       Not-for-profit organizations
¨       Retail
¨       Construction, real estate, and land development
¨       Professional services such as accountants, attorneys, financial planners, and business consultants
The Center does include several anchor tenants. These may include compatible organizations that would not qualify as clients.

Does the Center provide start-up funding?

No. However, the Center helps clients develop appropriate financing strategies and prepares clients to engage effectively with prospective funding sources. The Center is well-connected to early stage investors.

Is there a cost to participate in the Center?

The Center offers a range of options. Certain seminar programs are available at no charge to any qualified participant. Companies that locate in the Center pay a mont hly fee that includes space and advisory services. Companies participating as Affiliates pay a modest quarterly fee.
How long can a company stay in the Center?

The objective is for companies to stay long enough to become strong entrepreneurial ventures. There is not a pre-determined time period. Some companies grow rapidly and experience most of the benefits of the Center within 12 to 18 mont hs. Other companies have longer development periods and may benefit from Center services for three to five years. Companies that do not make progress or that do not participate in Center services may be asked to leave.

Is the Center similar to an Executive Office or “Key Man (Person)” facility?

The Center offers furnished, single offices as well as suites ranging from 500 to 5,000 square feet. It includes a variety of shared office services including telecomm, internet, conference rooms, kitchen, reception area, copiers, fax, postage meter and printers. These services are similar to Executive Office/Key Person facilities. However, the real value of the Center is in its Business Advisory services. These can contribute significantly to business success. They are only available at the Ben Craig Center .

Does a company need a UNC Charlotte connection to join the Center?

No. The Center includes companies that are built upon UNC Charlotte research and innovation. However, many Center clients are not related to UNC Charlotte. All Center client-tenants benefit from the Center’s connections to University faculty, students, research, and specialized facility access.

Does the building have wet lab and clean room facilities?

The Ben Craig Center is primarily an office building and does not have wet labs or clean rooms. Lab and clean room space is available through the Charlotte Research Institute. The Center will facilitate those arrangements for client-tenants.

Can a company work with the Center without locating in the Center?

Companies generally receive the greatest benefit by locating at the Center. This provides greatest access to Center services and the opportunity to interact regularly with like-minded entrepreneurs. However, the Center accepts a limited number of Affiliates. These companies benefit from most Center services while maintaining their operations elsewhere. The Affiliate program is intended for companies that have physical plant requirements not available at the Center or where the company principals’ homes are not within a reasonable commuting distance.

What is the difference between the Center and the SBTDC?

The SBTDC is located in the Ben Craig Center and works closely with the Center. The SBTDC provides business advice to hundreds of companies annually while the Center works intensively with a limited number of high growth potential ventures. Most SBTDC services are offered at no cost. The Center and the SBTDC will coordinate their respective services for eligible companies. Contact the SBTDC by calling 704 548-1090 or at http://sbtdc.org.