Did you ever hear someone described as being well networked or as a good networker? Have you ever received or given advice to get out there and do some networking?  It’s safe to assume we all agree that networking is a critical element in many professionals’ business and career development.  I’d also add that, by my own accounts, networking is every bit as ambiguous and misdefined as it is popular.  When working with all professionals, ranging from students to experienced executives, my approach always begins with determining your own personal definition of networking before you put the glad-handing, business card distribution wheels into motion.  In most cases this will preserve sanity, manage your own expectations, and produce results.  Let’s dive a little deeper.

So what is networking anyway?  Most dictionary definitions will involve interacting, meeting new people, establishing contacts, etc.  These are all well and good but you need to establish practical definitions as your guiding principles as you “get out there”.

Networking is A Discipline

My own personal definition of networking is: “The discipline to take others’ agendas more seriously than your own.”  For those of you who have attended the after-hours events, you know the people you want to see and the people you want to avoid.  Often times that person you enjoy talking to shows interest in what you have to say.  They take the time to understand what you are trying to accomplish.  For those few black-belt networkers out there, they even go so far as to establish connections for you and help you achieve your goals.  When I go to a networking event my goal is always to make connections and only describe my business when directly asked.  Instead of walking out of the event having force-fed my card to a handful of strangers, I exit having made a noticeable, tangible difference in a select few professional careers.

Networking is A Way of Life

Much like a personal trainer will tell you that exercise is a way of life and not just a phase, so is networking.  To follow the analogy a step further, you can’t expect to see results after one day at the gym the same way you can’t expect to close the deal of land the job after one chamber of commerce event.  The practice of networking must become part of your regular daily interaction with colleagues, clients, and partners.  Would one of your clients benefit from knowing someone in your network?  Make the connection!  Networking only pays predictable dividends when momentum is created.  The formula for success is less than scientific – hard work, dedication, and more hard work.  If it was easy, everyone would be great at it.

Networking is Goal Oriented

Whether I’m preparing for a networking event or attempting to network with a prospective client, setting goals is critical to stay focused.  My challenge is to set a goal before your next networking event which will yield results.  To get you started, create five new connections for others at your next event and work tirelessly until the job is done.  Regardless of how relevant the connections are, your efforts won’t go unnoticed and people will begin asking who you are and what you do.  Go to 10 more events and accomplish the same goal.  Then, do the math.  That’s right, you’ve become the driving force in establishing fifty new connections (in farming terms, that equates to planting 50 high-quality seeds), making a difference in the lives of up to one hundred other professionals.  Going back to the previous two points, maintaining this “discipline” as a “way of life” will make it very difficult for you to go unnoticed.

Networking is a game of quality and quantity.  Simply meeting people will cover the quantity end of the game.  The results; the true art of networking is in the quality.  Being a difference-maker and resisting the urge of perpetual self-promotion (an art not easily mastered) will establish you as an effective networker and someone with whom others want to engage and do business.

About Jason Alexander:

Jason is Managing Partner of BANK W Holdings, LLC and its portfolio companies Alexander Technology Group, KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting, and The Nagler Group. His passion for client service and dedication to the local community have resulted in rapid growth and multiple awards for his businesses in recent years. Jason was named by Business NH Magazine as one of the state’s top 25 leaders for the future and received the New Hampshire Business Review’s Business Excellence Award for Technology in 2010. Prior to co-founding Alexander Technology Group and BANK W Holdings, LLC, Jason held management and director roles for multiple international services, staffing, and software companies.

Jason also serves as a director/advisor on the boards of local organizations such as the New Hampshire High Technology Council, NHTI, Great Bay Community College, Granite State College, and Pinkerton Academy. He speaks frequently at college campuses and professional events throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Jason earned his Bachelor of Science from Keene State College in Keene, NH

In that spirit, the Party at Arms will be highlighting:

the WANDAS, supported by Ryan Lee Crosby

the WANDAS are an American rock band based out of Boston, MA composed of Keith McEachern, Brent Battey, Ross Lucivero, and William Bierce. the WANDAS have been compared to Wilco, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and The Strokes.

It is exciting!  You say, “I can’t believe nobody has done this yet”. An idea in and of itself does not have much value unless you can do something with it, such as developing the idea into a product that can be commercialized.  A common misconception among inventors is that a raw idea or even a product concept is highly valuable.

Getting a product into the marketplace can be a roller coaster ride, both rewarding and daunting.  There is economic, development, time and market research related challenges to overcome to be successful.  Recent data showed only 5%-7% of patented ideas are commercialized.

The steps to success in bringing a product to the marketplace include research, industrial design ideation and refinement, prototyping, production design and documentation, marketing and distribution. That’s a lot to undertake even for the simplest products.

Before beginning this commercialization process understand what you, the inventor, wants to get from this effort.  There are many ways to commercialize a product.  The most common ones are to manufacture and sell directly yourself, license and collect royalties, sell your product idea or develop the idea along with a strategic partner.  Let’s look at each approach independently.

To manufacture and sell a product yourself, you will have to become familiar with all the aspects of development and be capitalized to fund the effort. Depending on the complexity of your design and the market you are after, this approach can be obtainable today through means that did not previously exist. Shopping on the internet has become very popular and may be an appropriate path to commercialize your product. Just remember the product must be easy to find using a search engine, so something very unique or niche may be hard for customers to find and sell this way.

There is less financial risk, and far less time, if you are able to identify a company interested in your product and enter into a licensing or royalty agreement.  Because the selling company will have to invest large sums of money to bring your product idea to market, you should expect a 2%-10% royalty of net revenues with 5% usually considered reasonable.  There are some excellent companies that have established contacts throughout several markets and can assist you with this effort.

I have seen little success in selling an idea directly to a specific company.  You will need to do considerable homework in identifying possible companies, understanding their product lines, and demonstrating how your product idea complements their business. How to value your idea is difficult to do and you can easily short change yourself.  To make this work you will really need to do your research about your prospect companies, and have your product idea well developed and protected.

Certain niche products that are complex and may require considerable investment and time to develop may benefit from a strategic partnership.  A partner company may have the development resources that you do not have – and the appropriate budget – to develop the product.  To make this work you will need to be able to demonstrate how your idea meets a need for the company and is profitable for them.

Apart from how to get a product into the market, I am often asked how far does an inventor need to take the product design?  Unfortunately there is not a single answer other than an idea, in and of itself, has no value. So where do you begin?  Start by doing a simple patent search (www.uspto.gov) to see what patents may already exist.  This is not as good as retaining a patent attorney, but is a simple no-cost first step. If it’s a consumer product, go visit your local big box retailers and see if the idea is already out there in some form or another.  Otherwise, get on the internet and see what you can find.  Find competitive products and do as much research as possible to understand what you’re up against.

If your idea merits moving forward, you may consider identifying and retaining the services of professionals to assist in your efforts.  These might include a patent attorney to protect your idea and conduct a more thorough patent search, as well as other legal considerations. Strategic marketing professionals can help you identify how to promote and get your product into distribution, if you elect to go that route yourself.  A design firm can assist in developing a product for commercialization, prototyping and manufacturing.  And don’t forget your friends and family as valuable no-cost focus group attendees!

There are many aspects to consider when commercializing an idea and many ways to move forward.  It can be an unforgettable and gratifying adventure but proper planning is necessary to keep your risks in check.

About the Author:

Joe Schappler is a successful entrepreneur with numerous patents and a proven track record in product development and business management. Joe is owner of Helix Design, Inc., a small product design business in Manchester NH. For the past 21 years Helix has provided services to companies of all sizes in several product industries. Joe also was co-founder of Image Data, Inc., a company targeted at ID theft prevention using an image database. He and his partner successfully secured millions of dollars in investment for Image Data.

Joe’s 30-year career has spanned from working at small start-ups, design consultancies and Fortune 500 companies. This experience has given him perspective on working with different types of organizations for successful collaborations. His insights into product development have benefited inventors, project managers and management for successful product launches.  Joe is a 1982 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Industrial Design.

Through its Soft Landings program, NBIA recognizes incubators that are especially capable of helping international companies land and set up shop in the United States. “The abi Innovation Hub was selected for the program because of its slate of business services for international firms and its demonstrated success at helping firms enter the United States market,” said Tim King, NBIA international programs operations manager.

Business incubation programs like abi Innovation Hub catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful. Incubating international firms takes more than the standard set of incubation services. The Soft Landings designation recognizes an incubator’s focus on welcoming companies into the United States with translation services, help cutting through governmental red tape, access to capital, domestic market research and other programs.

A panel of experienced NBIA-member incubator managers evaluated the Soft Landings applications. According to King, the judges were impressed with abi Innovation Hub’s unique support for international firms.

abi Innovation Hub accentuates its standard incubation services with assistance tailored specifically to international firms, which help foreign companies establish strategic relationships with a highly qualified network of experts in New Hampshire. This can be most beneficial to New Hampshire, since entering companies will provide economic development by bringing revenue and jobs to the area.

“We’re honored to be one of only 23 incubators in the world to hold the Soft Landing’s designation,” said Michele Petersen, Chief Operating Officer at abi Innovation Hub. Petersen clarified that the designation was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which was secured through the support of United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office. “Funds from an SBA grant provided us the opportunity to upgrade our infrastructure and focus on improvements that would be attractive to start ups and international businesses looking to expand into the United States. We’re most appreciative of the support and confidence that Senator Shaheen and her staff demonstrated,” said Petersen.

NBIA’s Soft Landings designations are effective for two years; programs must reapply biennially for continuing designation. There is no cap on the number of designations available in a given year or over time. abi Innovation Hub is one of only 23 business incubation programs from around the world that have earned the designation since NBIA began the program in 2005.

The National Business Incubation Association is the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. For more information about the NBIA Soft Landings program, visit www.nbia.org/member_services/soft_landings/.

Small Business Administration acknowledgement: The project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

About abi Innovation Hub: As an independent not-for-profit, the abi is all about ideas, innovation and impact. Our mission is to nurture high growth startups and create an environment where entrepreneurs have access to the resources, connections, experience, and capital to support the journey of putting ideas into action. We foster a clean, open, and vibrant workspace, where a spirit of open-source entrepreneurship is encouraged. For more information, please contact the abi at +1-603-629-9511, visit www.abihub.org, e-mail hello@abihub.org … or let’s get social and Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abihub or Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/abiInnovationHub

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Program Overview

The abi Innovation Hub is proud to offer the abi Hub Internship Program. This program is designed to build transferrable skills and gain real-world entrepreneurial experience in a transformative startup environment. This is a chance to give your career a head start while making valuable connections.

abi Hub Internships are offered to 5-10 undergraduate and graduate students each semester and are undertaken during fall, spring, and summer terms.

During the 10 to 15-week period, interns work under dual supervision of the abi internship supervisor and startup business executive to carry out a variety of projects. Projects assigned to interns differ from semester-to-semester depending on the needs of abi resident businesses and the personal goals of the intern. The abi Hub Internship projects cover a broad spectrum of business related fields, including:

• Business Research
• Marketing
• Finance/Accounting
• Communications
• Graphic Design/Web Development
• Programming/Engineering
• Teaching/Education

Who Should Apply

Students are typically pursing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or related field such as marketing, economics, finance, entrepreneurship, international relations, management, accounting, information technology, leadership, supply chain management, statistics, graphic design, web development, or teaching. Typically, internships are sought by those who are interested in the entrepreneurial startup environment and/or have goals to start a business of their own.

Students who are considering the abi Hub Internship Program:

• Should be within one or two years of completing their degree
• Must be in good academic standing at an accredited college or university
• Have an excellent command of English (both written and oral)
• Must possess basic computer skills

While the selection process is highly competitive, candidates with diverse academic or cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Resumes and cover letters are initially screened to determine whether a candidate has the minimum qualifications to be considered for the abi Hub Internship Program. Following this, the most promising candidates are identified. This information, along with a copy of each candidate’s application, is forwarded to participating abi Hub resident businesses. abi hub resident businesses are asked to advise their preferences among candidates, as well as the project to be undertaken. Internship candidates are selected based on studies, skills, work history and interests.

Learning & Development

The abi Hub invites you to come join us for a unique experience, including personal and professional development, executive speaker workshops and mentoring.

The abi Hub Internship experience includes:

Impact: Work on results driven projects integral to abi Hub resident businesses.

Professional Development: abi Hub business seminars, skill-building workshops and

executive speakers.

Exposure: An insider look at how startup businesses function.

Mentorship: Guidance from abi Hub staff and abi Hub resident businesses to help you

navigate your semester experience.

FAQ

1. Who is eligible to apply?
   The program is open to all qualified undergraduate and graduate college students.
2. Are international students eligible?
   Yes, to be considered for the abi Hub Internship Program, you must obtain an authorized student visa.
3. Is there a required major?
   All majors are encouraged to apply.
4. I am a Master’s student. Can I apply?
   Yes, the abi Hub Internship Program is open to current undergraduate and graduate students.
5. Do you require a cover letter?
   Yes, we recommend using it to bring up anything that would not be evident from the rest of your resume. It can also be an opportunity to let abi Hub know about you as an individual. We strongly recommend using your cover letter to indicate your field of preference, in addition to why you’re a good fit for the organization.
6. What file format do you require for my resume and cover letter?
   You may submit any electronic version of your resume and cover letter, however a pdf labeled Lastname_Resume.pdf, where “Lastname” is your last name, is preferred.
7. I’m studying abroad, can I still interview?
   Of course, we’re an innovative organization and are open to using Skype to conduct interviews.
8. When will I start my internship with abi Hub?
   Student’s start dates will be determined on an individual basis to accommodate class schedules.

Other Questions: Don’t see your question answered on this page? Please email intern@abihub.org with additional inquiries.

Application Deadlines:

• Fall Term – August 20^th
• Spring Term – December 20^th
• Summer Term – May 20^th

How to Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to intern@abihub.org.

**Both paid and unpaid internships are available depending on the needs of abi resident businesses. Please specify whether you are seeking paid, unpaid, or either in your cover letter.

To answer this question, you must first understand our roots. Co-founders Jeremy Hitchcock (CEO) and Tom Daly (CTO) were both brought up in the greater Manchester area and attended Manchester high schools. I actually met Jeremy in the halls of our middle school in the neighboring town of Bedford, way back in the mid 90’s.

Gray Chynoweth (COO) grew up 20 minutes north in Canterbury and breathes the state motto of “Live Free or Die”, while Josh Delisle (VP of Worldwide Sales) touts Amherst as his hometown. Joe Raczka (VP of Finance) is a Bedford alum, just like Jeremy and I. Matt Toy (VP of Client Services) hails from New London.

Cory von Wallenstein (CPO)? Well, he finally bought in and moved here two years ago from Massachusetts to join the movement. Like Cory, nearly every Dyn employee has bought in to the NH way of life and has their own unique story to tell.

For me, I grew up the middle child in a family of five sons. My parents worked their asses off and still own and operate a localsporting goods and screen printing business. They taught me everything I needed to know about business and community from a very early age (like trust and commitment) and have never wavered from that.

I went to college at Bentley in Waltham, MA, moved to California for a few years and was lured back home after being recruited by Jeremy. New Hampshire has a certain pride to it, a connection and pull for people who grew up and/or live(d) here.

It’s hard for outsiders to understand. It can be hard for us to explain.

Many people know of NH because they vacation here, but we have long been recognized as being a great place to live and raise a family and is often designated a small business oriented state. We couldn’t agree more, but with one difference.

I always say that entrepreneurs of yesterday opened up sporting goods stores (like my folks), pizza parlors, jewelry businesses and flower shops, while entrepreneurs of today do the same — just online in a global marketplace with a global audience.

The entire startup mentality is based around this “stick it to the man” attitude, but we simply have the Internet (ex: a domain name thanks to the best managed DNS company on the planet) as our home address, not Main Street in a traditional brick and mortar location that requires foot traffic to stay alive.

We are at the center of the business landscape of the state and we always challenge ourselves to be the next Boulder, CO, or Austin, TX, when it comes to startup hubs. Here’s what a local publication said about our quest.

Our parents set the foundation for us to care about community, to care about the local economy and to realize our ability to leave an impact in creating jobs, creating wealth and creating relevance in the process. We could run our business anywhere, but we choose to do it here. In Manchester, we aren’t just another tech company in the crowd and want to leave a legacy for our kids and grandkids.

Yes, it’s idealistic. Yes, it’s naive. Yes, it’s bold dreaming. But I actually think that’s the great inspiration for it all.

With our involvement in organizations like (see DynCares) the abi Innovation Hub, NH High Technology Council,TechHampshire, StayWorkPlayNH, SNHU, The Community College System of NH, NH Catholic Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters NH, US First, Families in Transition and the Manchester Young Professionals Network and in startup advising/boards/investment/founding like Trendslide, Mosaic, Incutio, Ruustr, Carrier Pigeon, salesonrails, 1band 1brand and more, we’re just now scratching the surface. Dyn is our launching pad and it’s engrained in our culture and brand.

So back to the question of “What’s in it for Dyn?”.  Isn’t it obvious?

We grew up here. We love it here, especially the work/life balance you can create. We believe in the NH advantage when it comes to limited taxes, no traffic, low crime, affordable housing, good schools and access to lakes, beaches, mountains and Boston. Heck, people even tweet about it with the hashtags #MHT #NH. (Okay, maybe we started that, but still.)

It truly is all about the people. We promise long-term opportunity to everyone we recruit and hire at Dyn. By creating an innovation and technology ecosystem in NH, we’re creating a foundation to be able to prove it long-term. At Dyn, we’ve established a wonderful foundation to build upon. So, when people ask us again, “What’s in it for Dyn?,” we’ll simply share this blog post.

If you have interest in starting or moving your company to NH, please contact Jamie Coughlin, CEO at the abi Innovation Hub or drop us a line. I’m also easy to find right here in New Hampshire if I’m not globetrotting the world telling the story of why we love NH so damn much.

Between the global economy, the recession, the internet’s effect on buyers’ access to information, new selling tools and applications, and the need for an optimized sales process, selling has changed more in the past 5 years than it has in the past 50 years. In the context of technology sales, according to Dave Kurlan, bestselling author of Baseline Selling, “most companies haven’t changed their approach and still hope that their salespeople, who succeeded prior to the 2008 crash, will somehow get some momentum. But what worked in 2006 doesn’t work in 2012 and won’t work in the years to come.” If you want to grow revenue, the best option is to invest in your selling machine in building a better pipeline. Yet many young firms with limited budgets struggle with what their marketing options are and whether those choices are the most leveraged investment in building the pipeline.

For a threshold of understanding, let’s be clear on these terms and questions. What is a sales pipeline? What are my marketing options as a young company with limited budget?

In a summary format, a sales pipeline is a process of: Identification of suspects; Inquiry to them; Qualification of them; Presentation of your value proposition to them and Commitment of the prospect to take the next step in the sales process-as you have defined it. Continuing this theme and another way of looking at it, the sales pipeline is a continuous flow of sales suspects that flow into your sales funnel where your sales qualification and selling process is instituted. These sales suspects, however they are identified, are from all marketing sources-inclusive of inbound requests, outbound calling, and referrals. This visual is a simple depiction of what in effect happens during the life of a sales lead.

There are many sophisticated marketing scoring models and marketing automation tools that add great value that are available once you have enough activity to warrant the need/cost of utilizing.

Bob Good is Founder and CEO of Good Leads® located in Salem, NH. Founded in 2002, Good Leads is an outsourced sales and marketing firm that specializes in warranted business introductions for technology centric firms and professional associations inclusive of healthcare IT, medical devices, clean tech and engineering and design companies.

With thirty years experience, Bob speaks and consults on sales and marketing models for businesses. Bob holds graduate degrees from Wayne State University and Southern NH University and is a long time board member of the NH High Technology Council and serves as NH’s Commercial Counsel to Canada.

According to Jamie Coughlin, Chief Executive Officer at the abi Hub, “There is a large segment of the NH startup population whose current needs are not being met. We see Accelerate New Hampshire as a way to help remedy this problem. The generous support of the Citizens Bank Foundation will definitely play a huge role in our ability to launch a successful program.”

The abi Hub is a nonprofit organization that provides a supportive entrepreneurial community to startups and early stage companies. There are currently forty resident businesses with differing business models and at various stages.  All resident businesses pay a fee to cover workspace and infrastructure. For companies who qualify for Accelerate New Hampshire, costs will be waived, a tremendous benefit to a startup business.

In addition to turnkey ready workspace and infrastructure, participants will be involved in a structured accelerator program to help launch the business, including mentors, workshops and other resources. For participants who complete the program, the abi Hub will create a platform for them to pitch their product/service to a group of mentors and investors.

“We see Accelerate NH as an exciting opportunity for Citizens Bank to show our support to the small business community,” says Joe Carelli, president of New Hampshire/Vermont. “The abi Hub has shown itself to be a leader in the startup community, and we’re happy to be partnering on such an innovative venture with an organization that shares our commitment to promoting economic development.”

Innovative companies play a critical role in New Hampshire’s economy and the abi Hub has contributed to economic growth in this arena for almost fourteen years. Graduate businesses have generated more than $300 million in revenue and created more than 600 jobs. In addition, ongoing workshops and networking events help advance the spirit of entrepreneurship by extending beyond abi Hub residents. There is ample opportunity for all entrepreneurs to get involved and Accelerate New Hampshire is the ultimate opportunity.

For more information about how you can participate in Accelerate New Hampshire, as a startup business, mentor, or supporter please contact Jamie Coughlin at jamie@abihub.org or 603-629-9511.

About the abi Innovation Hub: As an independent not-for-profit, the abi is all about ideas, innovation and impact. Our mission is to nurture high growth startups and create an environment where entrepreneurs have access to the resources, connections, experience, and capital to support the journey of putting ideas into action. We are literally a hub for all things ‘startup. We foster a clean, open and vibrant workspace, where a spirit of open-source entrepreneurship is encouraged! For more information, please contact the abi at +1-603-629-9511, visitwww.abihub.org, e-mail hello@abihub.org … or let’s get social and Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abihub or Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/abiInnovationHub

About the Citizens Bank Foundation: Citizens Bank Foundation is a subsidiary of the CitizensCharitable Foundation, which is a charitable contributions vehicle of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., RBSCitizens, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. The foundation’s support is focused on human services, affordable housing and economic development. CFG’s website is citizensbank.com.

]]> http://abihub.org/blog/2012/02/24/accelerate-nh-to-launch-with-support-from-citizens-bank-foundation-accelerate-nh-to-launch-with-support-from-citizens-bank-foundation/feed/ 0 http://abihub.org/our-residents/soft-landings/ http://abihub.org/our-residents/soft-landings/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:19:08 +0000 abi staff http://abihub.org/?page_id=391 The abi Innovation Hub holds the National Business Incubator Association Soft Landings International Designation, which recognizes an incubator’s focus on welcoming nondomestic firms into its domestic market.

Looking to Start or Expand Your Business in the United States?

The abi Hub is the perfect solution for companies looking to launch a new business, or establish a U.S. presence for an existing business. The abi Hub offers three options:

1. Traditional private offices. We’ll help you get established by providing unlimited Wi-Fi and wired internet access, assisting with the furnishing of your individual office and the connections you need to launch your business.
2. Membership in the “International Place,” is a co-working program specifically for international businesses landing in the U.S., and includes the use of multiple shared spaces and meeting rooms.
3. Virtual address.

Services, Resources & Connections

• U.S. mailing address
• Private office or co-working space
• Shared resources: copier, mail delivery, kitchen facilities
• Unlimited Wi-Fi and wired internet access from a shared network
• Access to meeting rooms and presentation equipment
• Short term lease options
• Access to mentors, coaches, interns and capital
• Connections to economic development resources at the local and state levels
• Introductions to selected service providers to assist with:
• Go to Market Sales Strategies & Execution
• Communications
• Business entity/structure
• Legal planning
• Tax & accounting
• Insurance
• Human resources
• Translation
• Public relations and marketing

Why the abi Innovation Hub?

“We spent close to two years building a network in New England while pursuing new business opportunities for our services. When the time was right to form our US operation, we were told that we should locate to Massachusetts. In our industry, the perception is that the best companies are from Massachusetts. After weighing all of our options, it was the business community of Manchester that won us over. There was a spirit of entrepreneurship that was thriving in the community and we were welcomed with open arms. And it was that same spirit and desire for us to succeed that we received from the abi Innovation Hub team. They immediately made us feel like family and soon we were rooted in the heart of New England. The abi innovation hub provides everything we need to operate in New England and we gain from being a part of the diverse abi community of companies and dedicated staff.”

Kent Murphy
National Account Manager
Accreon USA, Inc.

Why Manchester, New Hampshire?

Manchester is a vibrant, modern city with a thriving climate for businesses and families. We’re the largest City in Northern New England and the most populous north of Boston, which is located 53 miles away. Manchester was ranked 13th out of 100 best cities to live and launch a business in the United States in 2009 by CNNMoney.com. We have low taxes, and educated workforce and one of the highest standards of living in the United States. We have easy access to world class Manchester –Boston Regional airport and the interstate highway system.
And, Manchester offers an amazing quality of like, surrounded by beaches, mountains, lakes and other recreational activities.

For more reasons, visit www.yourmanchesternh.com/whymanchester

Small Business Administration acknowledgement: The project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.