Taking advantage of transformations by each independent organization, the NH-ICC with locations in Portsmouth and Durham, and the abi Innovation Hub in Manchester announced a merger in order to build a stronger platform for supporting entrepreneurship in the state.
The new organization will leverage the branding and high profile of the abi Innovation Hub. The merged organization will be known as the abi HUB – innovation|commercialization|acceleration. It will have locations in Durham, Manchester, and Portsmouth.
The NH-ICC, an organization developed in partnership with the University of NH, hired a new CEO, Mark Kaplan, last year. Kaplan had been a leader in the Maine entrepreneurship ecosystem for many years. Now relocated to New Hampshire, he moved the ICC into new locations in Portsmouth and Durham, raised funding through the state’s CDFA program, strengthened the ICC’s relationship with major supporters like the University of NH and Dyn, and is launching new programs and services for entrepreneurs.
The abi Innovation Hub has been in the midst of change for three years under the leadership of former CEO Jamie Coughlin, current COO Michele Petersen, and board chair Kyle York, chief revenue officer at Dyn, an iternet infrastructure firm in Manchester. The organization moved to new downtown space on Elm Street; rebranded to become the abi Innovation Hub; brought experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers to serve on its board; raised its profile through numerous events including TechOut, the NH StartUp Challenge, StartUP Rochester, Founders’ Series and the abi Party at Arms; and worked to develop the NH entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Coughlin moved to a board role at the abi when he was hired by Dartmouth College to become a leader in its entrepreneurial and innovation efforts. “Jamie has been critical to the success the abi has had in its transformation and we’re excited he is remaining engaged as a board member. The joint board is energized about this merger which brings leadership and resources that can further advance New Hampshire entrepreneurship,” said York.
Kaplan will lead the organization, whose team will include Petersen, COO – programs & services, and Kristin Lane, manager –c ommunications & sites. Both are active in bringing the merger to fruition.
UNH continues to play a significant partnership role, as the combined organization further enhances the commercialization of intellectual property and research coming out of the university as well as supports student and faculty entrepreneurship. UNH Senior Vice Provost for Research Jan Nisbet, is excited about the opportunities presented by the merger, “We’ve been very pleased with the changes at the NH-ICC and are confident this merger will further leverage the potential of bringing more resources to bear to meet the university’s goals and bring more entrepreneurial economic vitality to the state.” Along with Manchester headquartered Internet Performance Company, Dyn, UNH continues to display visionary support for short and long-term economic development throughout the state. More than $150,000 of support has been leveraged through NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) tax credits. Other sponsors include: PSNH, SNHU, Borealis Ventures, GY&K Marketing, Cook Little Rosenblatt & Manson, Devine Millimet, Centrix Bank, Bank W Holdings, PixelMEDIA, and more.
The organizations expect the merger to be complete by this Friday, January 31st. Kaplan and ICC board members Marc Sedam, executive director at UNH Innovation, Dick Cannon, VP of finance and administration at UNH, Gray Chynoweth, COO of Dyn, and Allan Kline, a former public company CFO, along with abi representation lead by York, Matt Rightmire, managing director at Borealis Ventures, and Peter Lachance, partner at Howe, Riley & Howe have been instrumental in facilitating this evolved organization. The boards of the two organizations will combine.