INVEST at Sage

Incubator for Nanotechnology Ventures, Emerging Sciences, and Technologies (INVEST)

INVEST is a nanotechnology incubator created in 2005 by Russell Sage College and Evident Technologies of Troy, the incubator's first tenant. The incubator provides space and resources to help high tech companies grow and expand, while advancing Sage's programs in science, technology and business.

In June 2005, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R) announced $2.5 million in state funding for the project. An additional $2.5 million in private funds will be raised by Sage. The funds will be used to retrofit John Paine Hall into an incubator with occupant-ready laboratory facilities for use by technology businesses, construct a connector bridge to Science Hall, and create two new state-of-the-art chemistry labs.

Evident Technologies, a pioneer in the development of quantum dots (semiconductor nanomaterials that have applications in the life sciences, solid state lighting, energy, security, telecommunications and more) plans to place 32 jobs in the incubator during the first year of operation, and that number is expected to double over three years.

"While continuing to successfully grow our own company, we can also help faculty, staff and students better understand how to create successful technology companies," said Clinton Ballinger, Ph.D., CEO of Evident.

"We have learned that it is not just breakthrough science or technology that makes a company successful. It is also strong business strategies, marketing, sales and financial management, and we plan on sharing our field-tested knowledge in these areas."

The project helps fill the growing need for incubator space in the Capital Region, which has proven to be successful in promoting cross cultivation of ideas and technologies from businesses to academia, and is home to a growing number of nanotechnology ventures. Additional companies are expected to join INVEST at Sage over time and after Evident's expected three-year tenure.

In addition to providing more opportunities for applied education at Sage, the new incubator builds on Russell Sage's successful GEMS program - Girls in Engineering, Math and Science - for middle and high school girls aimed at increasing the number of girls and women studying and entering technical careers in engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

For more information on INVEST at Sage, contact:

Megan Galbraith

Director of Communications

(518) 244-2246