The Idea Accelerator Initiative, part of a recently announced public-private joint venture, is designed to determine if such ideas are commercially feasible before being moved into the start-up or incubator stage.

"Simply, this is the pre-incubation stage that has been overlooked by so many business incubators," said Donald F. Kuratko, the initiative creator. "Most incubators have problems in the screening process. If a bad idea goes in, a bad business usually comes out."

"Our initiative calls for people with a new idea to develop a self-feasibility study to see if could be a successful, commercial venture," he said. "In essence, it is a self-screening process because individuals learn what will work."

 Kuratko is the Stoops Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and executive director of the Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center.

The idea accelerator is the first step in providing start-up businesses for the Muncie Innovation Connection program, a business incubator created through a partnership between the university, Cardinal Health Systems and the city of Muncie. Ball State is providing several remodeled residences in the community to host start-ups.

Area individuals, groups or businesses with creative technology-based ideas may learn more about the idea accelerator initiative during a pilot program Oct. 28-29 at Ball State's Alumni Center.

To be considered, applicants must submit a proposal that will be evaluated for innovation, technology perspective, sponsoring organization and description clarity. All proposals will be reviewed by a special panel convened by the Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center, the entrepreneurship program's professional education division.

During the program, participants will learn how to do a feasibility study as well as learn about business and entrepreneurship concepts including marketing, ethics and human resources.

Participants have 60 days to complete a feasibility study, which will be reviewed by the Midwest Entrepreneurial Education Center staff. Approved feasibility studies will be certified and eligible to be considered for a place in the community's incubation center.

Kuratko said additional programs would be scheduled in the coming months after the pilot is reviewed.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Kuratko at dkuratko@bsu.edu or (765) 285-9002. For information on Muncie Innovation Connector Program, contact Bill Skinner, executive director, at wskinner@bsu.edu or (765) 744-1122.)