Clean technology business incubator opens in Lynn’s J.B. Blood building

LYNN ? Less than a week after the New American Center for immigrants and refugees opened at the J.B. Blood building, executives from North Shore InnoVentures unveiled a high-tech business incubator for start-up companies at the same address.Although the official grand opening of the Cleantech InnoVenture Center (CIVC) isn’t scheduled until Thursday, the enterprise has already settled into the fourth floor at 20 Wheeler St.The center will specialize in catering to the needs of growing clean energy and clean technology businesses, said James Cowdell, executive director of the Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (EDIC), which owns the J.B. Blood building.The center is already home to Magniture Systems, which developed a technology to reduce building energy use. Several other companies are completing applications and expect to become incubator tenants in 30-60 days, according to Eric Graham, chief executive officer of the CIVC.”There’s a growing cluster of green-tech businesses that need space to bring their technologies from the development stage to market and we can help them do that,” Graham said Monday. “The Cleantech InnoVenture Center isn’t static. It’s a dynamic enterprise that facilitates connections to funding, offers mentoring, as well as access to other services that will help the green-tech startups create jobs and grow.”According to Graham, a Hamilton resident, the incubator will eventually be home to 5-10 clean-tech businesses.The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems in Cambridge has emerged as one of the most significant technical collaborators with the CIVC venture.Nolan Browne, managing director of the Cambridge enterprise, described the Lynn incubator as a perfect fit for their business model. “We have some of the world’s leading scientists conducting research and development on technologies that ultimately will need the type of space and services CIVC provides.” he said, adding that the Lynn center gives its companies access to the growing industry network of green-tech specialists and service providers – a benefit hard to find elsewhere.Paul Gregory of Marblehead, chief executive officer of Magniture Systems, was attracted to the Lynn center because it houses a ready-made network of like-minded individuals. “There’s a sense in the clean-tech world that we’re all part of something bigger – a movement so to speak – to find solutions to our energy and climate problems,” said Gregory. “The industry is more collaborative than competitive. CIVC has already helped me make important connections I might not otherwise have had.”Graham said the incubator received a shipment of furniture donated by the Harvard Business School and the British Consulate in Cambridge. Another tenant, developing solar technology, is expected to move in shortly, he said.”That’s why our access to the roof is so important,” he said. “They’ll want to test their panels in real weather conditions.”Initial funding for the Lynn incubator came from the state, spearheaded by Rep. Steven M. Walsh of Lynn. “Economic investment in Lynn is vital to helping us grow our tax base and bring in the funds needed to help make our community vibrant,” said Walsh. “The key here is that we are also investing in our energy and environmental future – so this funding will make positive waves for a long time to come.”Lynn Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. said the city has plenty of room for businesses to expand, adding that the incubator’s close proximity to Boston and Cambridge helps growing companies retain their ties to the scientific and educational institutions located in those communities. “The opening of the Cleantech InnoVenture Center also demonstrates that positive economic development and job growth can happen when city and state officials work closely with the private sector,” Clancy said.Cowdell said the EDIC supports the venture because as the tenants grow their small companies, the local economy will benefit through jobs. “Eric has a strong