Services of the Austin Technology Institute
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Page Function
This is the first page a user comes to when selecting the Services button from the main navigation. The purpose of this page is to provide an overview of the available services, and then link the users into the detailed sub-section service information (such as Strategy).
A secondary function of this page is to emphasize “brand image” and “recognized credibility” and show the support ATI companies are given. On Site Organizations are listed at the bottom of the page too showing more of the support ATI can offer.
Content Description
ATI Services text:ATI provides a wide array of services that give its companies a strong competitive advantage over other startups. Access to advice from leaders in Austin's high-tech community, in-house consulting, financing referrals, marketing and PR aid, and a solid turn key infrastructure are only a few of these services. Explore these and the many other services that ATI provides by clicking on the diagram or the outline to the right.
Sub-Links Under Services:
Strategy, Finance, HR, Marketing & PR, Know-How Network, Infrastructure
Support paragraph text:
In addition to the strategic and organizational services shown in the diagram above, an important benefit to ATI companies is the brand image of ATI and recognized credibility of ATI companies. The business and investment communities recognize that ATI companies must meet rigid admission criteria to enter the incubator and that these ventures are well-positioned to achieve success. Another important benefit for ATI companies is the synergy that exists among ATI companies. The on-site organizations listed below also support ATI companies in many ways
Logos and links to 4 On Site Organizations
Comments
- Structure of page needs to be re-organized (ie, important links are below the fold and diagram)
- Links to move into the sub-areas (eg Strategy) don’t necessarily look like links on the right side of the page
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Strategy
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Page Function
Provide information about 3 areas of strategy that ATI can assist with:- Mentoring and Advisory Services
- Advisory Review Panel
- In-House Market Research and Consulting
Content Description
MENTORING AND ADVISORY SERVICES- Strategic Checkups: The ATI Director will meet with company CEOs at least once per month for strategy reviews and discussion of operational issues.
- Each incoming company is offered a "CEO Mentor." This is a person with extensive business experience or specific industry insight who will advise the company on a limited basis regarding matters of particular importance to the company.
- Specialized mentors are also available to the companies to assist with particular strategic areas or to provide project-oriented consultation. These arrangements may begin as a pro bono arrangement with an option for both parties to graduate to a paid relationship.
- ATI organizes a regular seminar series in which industry experts discuss areas of importance to growing technology companies. Only ATI companies are invited to these seminars, and mentoring relationships are frequently fostered during these events.
- All companies are afforded access to in-house consulting by professional ATI staff and University of Texas interns, including public relations assistance by ATI personnel.
Each ATI company is offered an annual advisory panel review in which the company has the opportunity to present its current business plan and status. The company then receives a critique and valuable advice from the advisory panel, which is comprised of industry and business experts. The panel is specially formulated to reflect the industry sector and area of interest of the ATI company.
IN-HOUSE MARKET RESEARCH AND CONSULTING
ATI's "in house" consulting team provides short-term (2-3 week maximum) consulting and market research services to ATI companies.
Services include:
- Market research and opportunity identification
- Valuation of Businesses
- Competitor Research
- Market analysis and sizing
- Customer Search
- Electronic Research
- Marketing plan formulation
- Consulting on strategies at various stages: Launch, Growth and Harvest of businesses.
Comments
- Potential confusion on having Market Research information available on the Strategy page while still having a Market Research main section
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Financing
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Explain how ATI is able to provide financing to companies through specific services.Content Description
ATI provides support for ATI companies in their search for financing, through the following services:- Referrals to funding sources: ATI has developed relationships with a wide range of funding sources (VC funds, angel investors, etc.) and can provide ATI companies with referrals to appropriate funding sources.
- IC² Seed Fund - The IC² Institute has developed a seed fund which is a potential source of seed stage investments for ATI companies.
- TCN: ATI companies receive membership in The Capital Network, an organization which matches early stage technology companies with access to angel investors.
- Guide to Funding Sources (under construction) ATI is developing an information resource guide to provide up-to-date information on sources of financing, their history of investments, and current investment requirements
Comments
- Perhaps links to the relevant information should be added (such as link to The Capital Network)
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Marketing and Public Relations Services
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Page Function
Explain the marketing and public relations services that can be provided.Content Description
The ATI PR intern, under the direction of ATI management, can provide support in the following areas:- Monitoring of ATI company developments
- Distribution of press releases, product launches, etc.
- Contacts with local and national press
- Other areas
Comments
- From the lack of content on this page, it seems like ATI doesn’t really provide very much assistance in this area.
- Also, the use of “Marketing” to describe the content doesn’t seem completely accurate, is there assistance with the brand? Help with sales? Help with product design and packaging? What do they mean by marketing?
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HR Services
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Page Function
Explain the four main services ATI provides in Human Resources, which are:- Recruitment
- Health Insurance
- University Federal Credit Union
- Internships
Content Description
RECRUITMENTATI can provide companies with assistance in posting employment opportunities, and can refer qualified candidates to ATI companies. (ATI does not perform personnel searches for ATI companies.)
- On-line Resume Bank: ATI's on-line resume bank allows companies to search database of recently submitted resumes.
- The "Resume of the Week". ATI will evaluate all resumes which have been submitted to ATI over the previous week (frequency of evaluation/resume of the week depends on volume of resumes received), and will select the candidate which we feel to be the overall most qualified candidate for employment at ATI companies. The Resume of the Week is distributed in hard-copy form in the in-box of all ATI companies. If you prefer delivery in alternate form, contact the Director of Member Services.
- Student Interns: ATI can help its companies find UT interns. See "Internships", below.
- Resume Book: Resumes received by ATI as hard copies will be posted in the resume book at the ATI front desk. (The resume book contains a smaller number of resumes compared to the on-line resume bank.) Companies may refer to the resume book at any time, and make copies of resumes within the book. The resume book is updated as resumes are received.
- ATI companies may participate in a health insurance pool which allows ATI companies to take advantage of low group rates.
- Contact David McGrew with Resource Financial Group at telephone 478-8779 for details.
- Companies must sign up for coverage within the first thirty days of occupancy at ATI to qualify, and other requirements may apply.
- All ATI companies and their employees can join the credit union. The credit union offers attractive rates and some of the lowest fees in town.
- See ATI front desk for brochures.
- ATI can help companies to post job and internship opportunities for UT students, through the business school, engineering school, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and others. Possible jobs for interns (depending on the educational level and capabilities of the individual student) could include administrative support, technical support, market research, web design, PR support, and others.
Comments
Page Title
know-how-network
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Page Function
Provide an overview of this network that links consultants to the companies, and allow companies and consultants to search and post about their services, respectively. Also provides companies information about price discounts available from particular companies.Content Description
Links to:A “prospects” page where consultants can add their services.
A search page to find consultants.
Text on this page:
The Know-How Network is a web-based directory of professional service providers who offer their services at discounted rates to assist the start-up ventures at ATI. This service network includes hundreds of individuals and companies across a wide range of areas such as legal, accounting, human resources, insurance, and many others. The know-how network contains contact information, services offered, rates & discounts, and client references for the service providers.
Potential providers: Add your company to the Know-How Network
ATI companies: View the Know-How Network
If you have worked with a service provider or professional services firm that you would like to recommend to us, please contact the ATI Director of Member Services, or refer them directly to the ATI Web Site.
To access the Know-How Network:
- Contact the ATI Director of Member Services to receive a password.
- From the ATI website follow the quicklink to "Know-how Network."
- Login using your login name and password
- Using the navigation buttons at the left of the screen, you can find a listing of know-how network companies by company or person.
DISCOUNTS
As an aggregator of small business enterprises, ATI has obtained discounted prices from various businesses for goods and services essential to growing companies. A partial list of these discounts follows. (These arrangements in no way bind ATI companies to use of specific service providers. See ATI staff for the latest information.)
- ADP - providing outsourcing of payroll services, at less than $5 per employee per pay period. (20% discount for ATI companies.) Contact Beth Celauro, (512) 795-6752, e-mail .
Comments
- The functionality of searching and adding within the Know How Network may need to sit in a few other areas of the web site. Too buried within the site right now.
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ATI Know-How Network – Provider Add
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Page Function
Introductory information for someone who wants to list their services on the know-how network.Content Description
Links on this page:”Start Submitting” button which takes user to a form to fill out.
Text on this page:
Thanks for your interest in listing your company in the ATI Know-How Network.
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is an economic development program of the IC2 Institute, an internationally recognized leader in science and technology commercialization. ATI facilitates the growth and development of emerging technology companies by advising early-stage, high-risk companies and providing them with the necessary assistance to make their technology-based ventures succeed.
By listing your company information in the Know-How Network, you are showcasing your company's services/products before an audience of high-technology start-up companies eager to initiate relationships with service providers. In return for this free placement, ATI asks that your company offer a discounted service/product package as an incentive to ATI resident companies. Know-How Network providers have significant industry experience and offer discounts to ATI residents.
The process for submitting to the Know-How Network is quick and easy.
- First, you will enter your company address and contact information, as well as a description of your discounted service/product offering.
- Next, you will enter a primary contact person. This person should be the primary contact for contact with ATI staff as well as prospective ATI clients. You then have the option to list secondary contact people along with their title and speciality.
- After you complete the forms, you will be presented with a full output of your company's listing. Before submitting your company's entry, you have a final opportunity to edit or change the information that you entered.
- After submitting the entry, the primary contact you listed will receive an email confirmation.
All questions regarding your listing in the Know-How Network can be addressed to the Know-How webmaster.
Comments
- “Start Submitting” button is hidden at the bottom of the page.
- Too much content to read through, will cause people to leave page before submitting listing
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Synergies
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Page Function
Describe that ATI can help companies network with other companies.Content Description
- ATI membership provides companies with exposure to a valuable resource: the other ATI companies. Collaboration between ATI companies is commonplace, and ATI fosters peer-to-peer group meetings in which particular sectors (e.g. marketing, information technology, etc.) network to discuss issues pertinent to their areas.
- Regular events are scheduled in order to allow ATI companies to meet and network. These include introduction of new companies, holiday parties, etc.
- ATI companies are exposed to ATI and IC² visitors from around the world, presenting investor and customer opportunities.
Comments
- Rename “Synergies” to something else.
- Add links to these events.
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On Site Organizations
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Page Function
Bring to the attention to member companies these related organizations.Content Description
Links on page:Text on page:
ATI companies receive memberships or discounted rates in the Austin Software Council, The Capital Network, and the Texas E-Commerce Association. (Please see appendices for more details). A description of these and other on-site organizations follows:
AUSTIN TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (ATC)
- The Austin Technology Council (ATC) represents the software industry and those whose business success is tied to this industry. ATC and its more than 500 members are striving to create an environment that will make Austin a world center for software and information technology.
- ATI companies may receive a discounted rate on ATC membership.
- ATC activities include:
- Monthly meetings (usually the 1st Tuesday of the month) featuring networking and speakers
- Peer Groups (CEO, Emerging Companies, Marketing, etc.)
- ATC University - in-depth seminars on software development and other issues
- Other services include a virtual benefits program, speakers bureau, workforce development, job fairs, partnerships, conferences, and the quarterly newsletter, the ATC Leader
- Pick up a brochure at the ATI reception desk or ask for more information. See appendices for more details
- The Capital Network (TCN) is the largest, non-profit capital network in the nation, matching entrepreneurial ventures with investment capital
- Brochures on TCN are available at ATI's reception area.
- Contact David Gerhardt (305-0835, suite 406) for more information and an application.
- TCN offers one free 6-month listing on its matching service to ATI companies. See appendices for more details
- The Texas Electronic Commerce Association is the premiere trade association representing and promoting the electronic commerce industry in Texas.
- All ATI companies are granted membership in the Texas E-Commerce Association. See appendices for more details
As a part of the IC² Institute, ATI companies have access to IC² Fellows and the network of referrals associated with the Institute; and ATI companies receive reduced rates for many of the numerous IC² business development and education programs.
Comments
Austin Software Council is mentioned in text, but no link or other information is provided. Refers to appendices but unclear where this information exists.
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Infrastructure
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