In recent months, OU INC, Oakland University’s SmartZone Business Incubator, has helped bridge the gap between entrepreneurial drive and the experience and value of Oakland University alumni. “Oakland alumni have tremendous experience and drive that is perfect in helping entrepreneurs to jumpstart their businesses and accelerate them to market,” said Amy Butler, executive director, OU INC. “We offer a number of ways that alumni can get involved, including; participating as a business client; referring business clients or businesses that can access our facility and the resources of the university; volunteering as an advisor for businesses; serving on advisory boards; and even working with businesses”.
Eric Tomei, (SBA '01) and Eric Tawney, (SBA '12) have leveraged their OU degrees to become involved with OU INC. While their involvement with the incubator varies, both have realized the opportunistic atmosphere created by the incubator that startups and entrepreneurs can use to nurture their business and ideas.
Eric Tomei, serves as a volunteer advisor both for OU INC business clients and for participants in the School of Business Administration's Ideas to Business program (i2B), a multifaceted program that supports students, faculty and staff in the development of entrepreneurial ideas. The student business Tomei is advising, Ardent Games, LLC, is in its funding stage for their continually evolving, community-driven board game, The Realm of Agennul.
As an advisor, Tomei brings real-world knowledge and expertise to the table that early stage startups need to stay afloat. “I wanted to find an avenue where I could give back to the university where I have learned so much. I heard about OU INC and as an entrepreneur, I knew this was the perfect way to give back,” said Tomei.
“Any entrepreneur will tell you about the excitement of starting your own business. I am extremely thankful that I have the opportunity to work with these talented people. They are all united toward a mission, which is to see The Realm of Agennul succeed,” said Tomei. “I would encourage any and all OU alumni to seriously think about giving back not only to this student-created company, but to OU INC as well.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Tawney, has a slightly different relationship with OU INC. Tawney, a finance and economics major, he works as a business manager for Hilsen LLC, a startup based out of Rochester Hills and a client of OU INC. Hilsen LLC, focused on increasing efficiency in market transactions, is already exceeding goals and expectations.
“Hilsen LLC has discovered innovative ways to do business with suppliers and conduct transactions,” said Tawney, "We are now building out a technology platform to scale the business model nationally."
“Our work with OU INC has helped us refine our business strategy to build investor confidence and become a stronger candidate for Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) grant funding.”
On a final note Tawney added, “Innovation is going to drive the economic engine of America’s future. The support network that business incubators like OU INC provides cultivates entrepreneurial activity, propelling innovation, creating wealth and jobs.”
OU INC is a SmartZone Business Incubator/Accelerator, working in collaboration with the City of Rochester Hills, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland County and Automation Alley. OU INC provides entrepreneurial resources and strategic business solutions for developing business ventures and accelerating ideas to market. It fosters a healthy environment for the growth of new start-up companies as well as provides support for existing entities through its facility and resources. The OU INC facility includes business resources, including the Clean Energy Research Center, and an Integrated Resource Center as well as access to the expertise and skills of staff, faculty, students, and corporate partners. To learn more, visit oakland.edu/ouinc., or call (248) 648-4800.
The i2B program supports Oakland University and Cooley Law School students, faculty and employees in turning their business ideas into reality. The program is made possible through key partnerships with Cooley Law School, Oakland University School of Business Administration, the School of Engineering and Computer Science and OU INC. To learn more, visit oakland.edu/i2b.
Governor Rick Snyder and Eric Tawney, (SBA '12)
Eric Tomei, (SBA '01)