The City of Folsom is contemplating the establishment of a technology incubator for the purpose of accelerating the growth of local technology companies and increasing the numbers of high-skill, high-wage jobs in the region. A business incubator is a facility that provides the following to its tenants: affordable, flexible office and development ("flex") space; access to professional services; referrals to sources of financing and grants; mentoring; and most important, the assistance of a manager who understands the process of commercializing technology and properly marketing it.

Companies in the incubator might be perfecting a prototype, seeking financing, pursuing an SBIR or other research contract, or conducting research that will help them move to the next stage of development. Many will have intellectual property or have filed preliminary patent applications. Companies in incubators typically have 1 to 5 employees, and $0 to $500,000 in revenues, may be just starting out, or have been in business for as many as 3 years.

We are surveying companies that might fit this description to better understand their needs, and formulate a business model that will accelerate their development.

Your answers to the following questions would be extremely helpful in understanding the attractiveness of the concept, required services, and desires of technology entrepreneurs in the Sacramento Metro Region. (Note: Even if your company has grown to a point where becoming a tenant in an incubator is no longer likely, your thoughts on the value of incubation services are very important to us in crafting a useful program design.) So if time permits we would appreciate knowing your views. Thanks very much.