#3: In Conversation with Mark Long – Insights from a Business Incubation Thought Leader

#3: In Conversation with Mark Long – Insights from a Business Incubation Thought Leader

Mark Long is the Director of Incubation Services at the University Florida. Under his leadership, UF Innovate and the Sid Martin Biotech Institute have both been recognized as world-class Incubation centers. In this interview we talk about four major themes Mark is passionate about – Recruitment, Retention, Capital, and Knowledge. And along the way you’ll find many nuggets of wisdom and a few humorous analogies. I hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with a business incubation thought leader.

You can pick up on these topics at these points in the conversation:

Start: How the idea for Community LaunchPad got ignition

Start – Fun conversation on Mark’s career

9:00 – Recruiting the Right Clients

20:20 – Show Me the Money! Let’s Talk About Capital

29:00 – Retaining and Graduating Client Companies

37:30 – Developing Client Knowledge & Networks

47:30 – What the Future Holds for Incubators

This Podcast is also available on the Podbean desktop site, the Podbean mobile app, and the iTunes store.


The Entrepreneurial Podcast showcases high energy, positive, entrepreneurial thinkers and doers. On the show, host Wendy Kennedy, looks for unique and unusual stories of entrepreneurial success – people doing inspiring and amazing things to ignite entrepreneurs, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Each interview unpacks tools, tips and lessons learned mixed with laughter, fun, and casual, coffee bar conversations. Wendy is recognized internationally for her entrepreneurial toolkit, So what? who cares? why you? used by inventors to turn their novel science and tech ideas into start-up success.

Do you have any suggestions for future podcast topics? If so, I would love to hear from you! Please contact me.

Find out more

WKI Online
Become a Certified Coach
WKI Online

WKI – Design Thinking for Innovators

Talk With Us