Sitting in the heart of Discovery Triangle near Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College officially opens its doors in March, and clients are being courted to bring their businesses to this new business incubator.

Supported by public and private funding, Phase I of the new facility offers 12,600 square feet of sophisticated fully-furnished offices, open collaborative spaces, communications technologies and wet/dry bio-centric laboratory spaces for innovative entrepreneurs. It is designed to house and develop early stage companies focused on biotechnology, clean technology, renewable energy and technology/software by providing business and professional resources, such as guidance and mentoring, and exposure to a network of local business professionals. Phase II will add an additional 5,500 square feet and is scheduled to be completed by late summer.

“CEI is the only comprehensive business incubator in the City of Phoenix where great minds and resources come together to help further the success of innovative entrepreneurs in the greater Phoenix area,” said GateWay President Eugene Giovannini. “The center will aid in further developing business in the area and the state.”

The City of Phoenix has been a major partner as has the U.S. Economic Development Administration to make CEI a reality.

Also instrumental in the center’s launch is the new executive director Jack C. Irving. Irving brings more than 20 years in the industry and a diverse background, with experience in marketing, product marketing, training/organizational development, sales and sales management.  Irving has led the marketing efforts for products and services from medical devices to high tech, technology services, network infrastructure, professional services/consulting and software companies. His has worked with both Fortune 500 and start-ups.

“Clients gain from our programs, resources and facilities,” said  Irving. “CEI raises the entrepreneurial, innovation and business incubator bar.”

CEI Tracking to LEED Gold
According to construction contractor CORE, the building is tracking to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold status. An official designation will be granted after the building is completed, potentially making for the first LEED Gold building on the GateWay campus. A mix of natural materials, recycling and reduction of materials going to the landfill, and the practice of purchasing goods from within the state or close to the construction site, helped to meet the LEED requirements.

Trash Talk
What missed going to the landfill? Basically, tons of materials, with 95 percent of the total waste being recycled. See how tonnage wise it compares.

Drywall:
6.49 tons = 1,250 bags of gypsum fertilizer/ lime spread

General Trash:
25.25 tons = 4 adult elephants

Metal:
6.36 tons = 4 Mini Coopers

Cardboard:
1.16 tons = 1 child elephant

Paper:
1.16 tons = 116 boxes of paper

Wood:
23.2 tons = 12 (30 foot) trees

Concrete:
404.98 tons = 11 concrete trucks full of concrete

Total Waste Produced 467.44 tons
Total Waste Recycled 442.19 tons

Percentage of Total Waste Recycled 95%
Goal 95%

To learn more about the CEI or how to become a client, visit the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation online at www.ceigateway.com or call (602) 286-8950.