2008 - First Steps

Established in 2008, the Emerging Enterprise Center - the only small business incubator in Delaware - was a key initiative of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. The Center developed out of a vision to nurture a strong, vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and with the goal of building jobs in Delaware and New Castle County. 


2013 – Taking it to the Next Level

In 2013 the Emerging Enterprise Center was approved as 501(c3) Charitable Organization by IRS and reorganized around the key concepts of Business Incubation, Business Education and Entrepreneurial Advocacy.


​Originally funding through a Congressional Earmark Grant through the SBA, since 2013 the Center has been partially funded through the state, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, business sponsorships and the rents and fees paid by incubator members.


The Swim with the Sharks Video Pitch Competition was also launched in March 2013, as part of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with Daymond John from Shark Tank as Keynote Speaker


2013 - 2015 Highlights


New Startups:

  • Ross Capital Partners
  • Innovo Distributors
  • Delivery Circle
  • Extreme Scale Solutions
  • Paul Davis Emergencies Services

Graduating Companies:

  • Advertising is Simple (2014)
  • I AM Leadership Academy (2014)
  • Keystone Scents graduated in (2014)
  • Brand Builder Solutions (2013)
  • University Consulting Experts (2013)

​

2016

920 Justison Street

Dravo Plaza on the Riverfront

Wilmington, DE 19801

302 737 4343

info@EECincubator.com

​​​


Companies

Revenues

Jobs Created

New Companies

Occupancy Rate

2015

2014

year over year increase

Official Communications Provider

​​


26

$37,844,489

128

1

47%

program to date - cumulative totals

​2016 - Program Highlights

​​Since its inception in 2008, the Emerging Enterprise Center has worked with 32 Companies, who have generated over $57 Million in Revenues and created 157 Jobs.  ​In 2016, a number of new startups were admitted:

New startups:

  • Uniscrap, PBC – Jan 2016
  • CircleBack Lending – Feb 2016
  • Direct Mobile Transit – Mar 2016
  • Deer Valley Danes – Mar 2016
  • Delaware ShoutOut – Jul 2016
  • Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel – Oct 2016


The Center also admitted its first two Virtual Incubator companies:  Deer Valley Danes and Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel.

Graduating companies:

  • Ross Capital Partners graduated in November 2016, and moved to a new office location in Pike Creek Valley

The first Annual Emerging Enterprise Center Luncheon was held September 23, 2016 at the World Café Live at the Queen, and featured the 4th Annual Swim With the Sharks Video Pitch Competition.  The Swim With the Sharks Video Pitch Competition was expanded to include two workshops to help small businesses learn How to Use Video to Market their Business, and How to Effectively Pitch Your Business


​​


32

$57,294,029

157

6

68%

A New Castle County Chamber

of Commerce Initiative

​​


23%

51%

23%

500%

Total EEC Area: 5415 sq ft

​


25

$27,624,788

115

4

58%