The Rockville Innovation Center, located at 155 Gibbs Street in Rockville Town Center (DIRECTIONS) formally opened on June 12, 2007.  The RIC provides space and support programs for domestic technology startups, as well as for international technology companies interested in opening their first U.S. office. 

The Rockville Innovation Center (RIC) occupies 25,000 square feet on the fourth and fifth floors of the Rockville Arts & Innovation Center, located next to the new Rockville Library in the new Rockville Town Center.  The RIC provides space and support for approximately 30 start-up technology companies to grow.  Programming is provided by Montgomery County’s Innovation Center Network, which boasts a proven track record of success, having graduated more than 30 companies which have generated over 1,000 local jobs. 

The state of the art facility provides lease flexibility to its tenants, as well as shared amenities such as reception, conference and work rooms.  In addition, tenants take advantage of programs that teach business skills and offer support with licensing, intellectual property, financing and other issues.  They are also connected with RIC Sponsors (see below), established companies that take an active role in mentoring incubator companies for success.  Companies generally spend two to four years in Montgomery County incubators, before “graduating” and moving to local commercial office space.   

The RIC’s prime, Metro-accessible location in Town Center, its proximity to federal agencies such as NIH, FDA and NIST, as well as many local amenities, make it attractive to prospective tenants. Companies must submit an application and business plan to be considered for admission.  Capitalizing on Rockville’s strengths in the life sciences, and its international character, the RIC particularly seeks companies with a healthcare / medical / bioinformatics focus, and international technology companies that are seeking to set up their first offices in the United States. 

For more details about the RIC, please see our Incubator Information Sheet, which is also available in Chinese.  For additional information, or to receive a Rockville Innovation Center application, please contact Sally Sternbach of REDI, or John Korpela of the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development.

RIC Sponsors: