Overview

The REC Innovation Lab is a community business incubator dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to helping founders solve problems by launching high-growth startups. There are many incubator programs in California, but often some groups are left out when it comes to joining them. Graduating students lose access to university-based programs, and many professional incubators are priced too high for entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Women and people of color are rarely targeted for inclusion and the focus is typically on later-stage companies that can show traction. The Regional Entrepreneurship Center - REC Innovation Lab at Miramar College was created to change those dynamics by providing accessible resources to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds so they can follow their passions and turn ideas into startups. We prepare students who need support at the earliest stages of the business and get them ready to launch or transfer into other incubators. Everyone is welcome to apply, but the focus of the REC is on helping people to start scalable, high-growth tech startups. Members receive training on cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, the latest tools, and a broad and diverse network of industry experts to support them, as well as access to free legal, technical, and marketing services needed to launch a business. Each startup has the chance to work with experienced grant-writers, and is given support in writing a crowdfunding campaign, and other financing resources. They also get to work with a professional videographer who creates a dynamic and engaging commercial for each startup. The lab also offers workshops and networking sessions with industry leaders, 150 hours of paid support from coders and developers, all under the guidance of highly experienced mentors. All of this is provided at no cost to the founders except for the $46 per unit fee.