Regional Spotlight: The Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System (HRTIS) The Technology Incubator System is dedicated to nurturing high-growth, high tech businesses into profitable industry leaders. HRTIS promotes economic growth for the greater Hampton Roads region by boosting the number of technology companies developing in or moving to the region, administering programs that help entrepreneurs operate these companies successfully, and facilitating access to technologies developed in the region's universities, government and industrial labs, in the effort to commercialize. Client companies can be either new start-ups or spin-offs from existing companies. Companies currently working with HRTIS are pursuing commercial applications of technologies such as remote sensing instruments, distance learning software, wind tunnel instrumentation, non-destructive evaluation techniques, satellite design and analysis tools, and web/virtual reality related technologies. HRTIS began in mid 1998 when NASA expanded its nationwide small business incubator program to include the Langley Research Center. Langley was directed to provide approximately $400K/year for two years to a local organization to facilitate commercial application of new technology by local start-up or small high-technology firms and foster partnerships between educational institutions and small high-technology businesses.  It was immediately clear that a regional approach was required, and several organizations throughout Hampton Roads stepped-up to participate in the development and on-going operation of the new Hampton Roads Technology Incubator (HRTI). In 2005, the functioning Incubator within the city of Hampton became part of the larger organization -- Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System. Current plans are to expand the Hampton Roads Incubator System to include other incubators in James City County and Suffolk. LINK: Hampton Roads Technology Incubator Regional Spotlight Archive: Read More About What's Working in Hampton Roads