The University Business Incubator Index has named Rice its top university business incubator for 2013.
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, based at Rice University, has been named the top global university business incubator for 2013.
Other winners include:
- Startup Sauna at Aalto University, which received Top Young Incubator (under 5 years)
- Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator at the University of Florida, which won the biotech category.
- Top IT Incubator went to NDRC Launchpad, part of University College Dublin.
- University at Buffalo’s UB Technology Incubator received Top Life Sciences.
Behind Rice, the top 5 overall included Georgia Institute of Technology’s VentureLab, UB Technology Incubator, the SETsquared partnership in the UK, and the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre in Australia.
The study into incubator metrics was conducted by the University Business Incubator Index, itself a startup established last year. Based in Stockholm, the Swedish firm studied 150 incubators in 22 countries and measured performance against 50 metrics.
In a statement, the firm explained why Rice topped the list: “The analysis of this assessment framework shows the value participating incubators create for their ecosystem and their clients. Rice Alliance’s exceptional overall performance, contribution to the ecosystem, especially through high job creation and outstanding value to their clients propelled it to the top spot in the Global category.”