The Darebin Enterprise Centre Ltd (DECL) has taken out the Business Incubator of the Year – Non Technology Award at the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA) convention in Texas, USA. Announced in May, the award recognises DECL as the world’s best business incubator.
Darebin Councillor and DECL Board Member, Chris Kelly, said with 1,750 members in 52 countries, NBIA is the peak international association of business incubators.
“Its non technology award covers incubators working with firms in areas such as manufacturing, professional services, arts and food,” he said.
“DECL is a fantastic initiative to support small business development and the employment opportunities that naturally flow from this. Winning this award now places DECL on the international stage and positions it as the world’s best.”
Small to medium sized enterprises are very important to the economic prosperity of a region, however, around 80 per cent do not survive beyond five years.
A business incubator’s prime objective is to support these businesses, particularly through their initial start up phase.
Located in Alphington in Melbourne’s inner north, DECL works closely with the City of Darebin to develop and grow small businesses. The site was chosen for its ability to cater for a range of small business sectors, including service based, light manufacturing and horticultural businesses.
The centre comprises integrated services and facilities, creating favourable conditions for start up businesses to develop.
Businesses are accepted from those in the initial stage, to those struggling to get production and sales up to a profitable level. More specifically, businesses considered for incubation include:
- start up businesses
- home based businesses
- new businesses with a capacity and willingness to expand
- New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
(NEIS) Graduates.
The centre also supports Indigenous business development across Australia through the provision of one to one support for business aspirants and business owners.
DECL offers affordable business space, the ability to expand on site as the business grows, shared office services and professional assistance in a range of areas, such as financial monitoring, marketing and export. In addition, businesses located at the centre have access to local business networking, a professional address, plus training and mentoring, personal support and access to micro enterprise loans.
For more information, visit the centre’s website at www.decl.com.au
