Beaver County Entrepreneurial Incubator Rolls Out New Name and Branding.

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. -- The Beaver County CO-OP (Corporation for Owner-Operator Projects) today announced it will change its name to StartingGate. StartingGate will continue to be an organization dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs, new business start-ups and helps expand existing businesses in Beaver and Lawrence County region. While StartingGate primarily focuses on information technology, advanced manufacturing and assembly-oriented business operations, all business sectors are invited for office and production space or business assistance.

"For more than two decades, the CO-OP name has been synonymous with reliability, stability and progress. Although providing programs, consulting, counseling and financial services is part of StartingGate's unique capabilities and remain an integral part of our strategy," said Doug Campbell, Executive Director, StartingGate. "We needed a name that more accurately reflects the scope of our services, the contribution to the region and the passion and commitment we feel for what we offer. Providing a 'starting gate' for entrepreneurs, business start-ups and small businesses that help build strong communities has always been our goal, now it's also in our name."

In addition to the new name, StartingGate has launched an entire new branding campaign, including new logo, website (www.starting-gate.com) and major advertising in regional and national business and trade publications - all designed to make the organization's programs and services more accessible. The website also includes powerful, business-building and educational tools as well as a series of 3D interactive tours highlighting StartingGate's new facility located in Chippewa Township, Beaver County.

Groundbreaking for the new building - the StartingGate Proving Grounds - in Beaver County was held last year and is expected to open in 2009. The new, 107,000 sq ft. environmentally-friendly building will not only house existing and new tenants, but will be a key driver for StartingGate's Keystone Innovation Zone Program (KIZ).

StartingGate manages a regional KIZ program that partners with local universities (i.e. Penn State Beaver, Geneva College, Robert Morris University and the Community College of Beaver County) to facilitate technology development and transfer opportunities with students, faculty and business start-ups. Since 2005, nine KIZ companies supported 85 university student internships and successfully created 22 full-time jobs.

The StartingGate Proving Grounds, as part of the KIZ footprint, will be perfectly positioned to support and accelerate opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups to develop new technologies and services, and expand and push into new markets while bringing new investment and employment to Beaver County, notes Campbell.

For more information on StartingGate and its services, please visit www.starting-gate.com or call Doug Campbell, Executive Director, at 724-847-6440 to schedule an appointment.

About StartingGate

With more than 20 years experience in assisting small business owners with their ventures, StartingGate has been recognized nationally for the programs offered and services it provides. StartingGate offers a full spectrum of programs and services that includes space, including clean-room operations, grants, loans, and direction to financial institutions for funding for start-up businesses.