First it was medical cadavers, then synthetic animals. Now, Tampa-based SynDaver is launching an incubator to boost the local manufacturing industry.
The company, which specializes in creating extremely lifelike cadavers for education and research purposes, is opening a business incubator to home 10 manufacturing startups.
The decision has been in the works for some time, but SynDaver's founder and CEO Christopher Sakezles believes the coronavirus pandemic provided the perfect timing for the launch of the program.
"With everything going on in the world, we figured it was a good time with so many people out of work," he said. "And there's a lot of brain power in the sight lines. It's not a bad time to start a business."
The program, which has a focus on technology-based companies, has already accepted two companies. It will accept up to eight more on a rotating basis and be held in-person. Apply here. The company is open to negotiating a fee, whether that be in equity of the company or traded services.
Its focus will be on American manufacturing, after many companies saw their reliance on foreign manufacturers come to a halt as the novel coronavirus stopped shipments from entering the country.
"I think in general we need to bring manufacturing back," Sakezles said. "We've seen the way things have been disrupted, due to our incredible reliance on China over the last several months."
The incubator will allow the startup or founder a space in its 50,000 sq. ft. new building and access to SynDaver's experts, including those who are in engineering, marketing, HR and more.
"It's a collection of spaces where ideally companies will come in, share resources, expertise and the physical space," Sakezles said. "We have a whole lot of experience to benefit companies, that can benefit others. We have military contracts, we know how to submit grants, run proposals. We have a lot of things to help them start up. If they have a good idea that's all you really need."
