What was the name of the first business incubator, opened in New York in 1959?

The Batavia Industrial Center was the first business incubator, opening in Batavia, New York, in 1959.

It was created after a local factory closed and left a large vacant building. Rather than demolishing the site, the owners divided it into smaller spaces and offered shared services to several businesses. This approach helped new and small firms reduce their startup costs.

The center’s model became influential because it treated property, advice, equipment, and networking as a combined service. Later incubators were often linked to universities, research laboratories, or technology parks.

A common mix-up is confusing the first business incubator with the first technology incubator. Technology-focused incubators became especially prominent later, while Batavia served a broader range of local businesses.