INCubator

Transform Your Startup into a Thriving Business at the INCubator

Are you looking to transform your early-stage startup into a thriving, scalable business? At the INCubator, Chattanooga’s premier business development hub, we provide office and manufacturing spaces tailored for innovation and growth. Our comprehensive 3-year program offers entrepreneurs access to training rooms, networking opportunities, monthly programming and industry specific mentorship. With strong support from the Chattanooga Chamber, TSBDC, and a robust network of industry partners, startups gain the tools needed to scale efficiently, enhance market reach, and make a lasting economic impact. Whether you’re in advanced manufacturing, tech, or consumer goods, the INCubator propels your business toward long-term success.

An update on the incubator

On May 6, 2026 the Hamilton County Commission voted unanimously to declare the Hamilton County Business Development Center as surplus, the county facility that houses the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s INCubator program.

The county plans to move the INCubator program to the third and fourth levels of the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, which will also house career and technical education programs for Hamilton County Schools. County officials have publicly stated that the Chamber will continue to manage the program once it has moved to the new location.

From the beginning of this process, the Chamber’s priority has been our clients. We remain committed to finding transition plans that see them supported now and into the future.

Until we have a clearer roadmap in place for the INCubator program, we have made the decision to put all new applications on-hold. Programming and support services will remain ongoing for the immediate future. If you have questions or need support for your small business or startup, please reach out to our dedicated staff by using the contact section of this website.

hear it from our clients

Built in the 1920s for manufacturing, the BDC building has evolved from housing industrial giant 3M to becoming Chattanooga’s first business incubator in the 1980s. Watch the video to the left to hear testimonials from entrepreneurs who’ve thrived in our program.

SMALL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES

BuildINC Business: EV Bots Reimagines Electric Vehicle Charging With Mobile Technology

March 13, 2026
Watch This Episode Here! In this BuildINC Business Episode, Marcherie Savage sits down with the founder of EV Bots, Virind Gujral. He shares how a simple, personal moment sparked a larger business idea. What began with his son building a small robot to help fuel their Lexus turned into a realization: there was a major gap in the electric vehicle charging…
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Bronze Ribbon Cutting

Contact Information

Organization Information

Ribbon Cutting Information

We will reach out to you to confirm the date of your Ribbon Cutting. Please understand there is significant interest in this program, and dates cannot be guaranteed until our Coordinator has contacted you. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred date.

  • Please visit the Chamber during business hours (Monday-Friday), no more than three business days prior to your event, to pick up your supplies.
  • Dates are not guaranteed until payment is received and confirmed by the coordinator.
  • Scheduling is based on availability and requires at least two weeks' advance notice.
  • A $150 security deposit check is required when collecting supplies.
  • Ribbon cuttings may be held after 3:00 p.m., seven (7) days per week.
  • Set-up, event coordination, and staffing are not included with this package.

Preferred Dates

Please enter the organization's preferred dates and event start times to have a ribbon cutting:

Silver Ribbon Cutting

Contact Information

Organization Information

Ribbon Cutting Information

We will reach out to you to confirm the date of your Ribbon Cutting. Please understand we have a lot of interest in this program and we cannot guarantee dates until our Coordinator has reached out to you. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred dates.

  • Scheduling is based on availability and requires at least two weeks' advance notice.
  • Ribbon Cutting packages are available for scheduling from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Chamber-recognized holidays.
  • Dates are not guaranteed until payment is received and confirmed by the coordinator.

Preferred Dates

Please enter the organization's preferred dates and event start times to have a ribbon cutting:

Gold Ribbon Cutting

Contact Information

Organization Information

About The Organization

Ribbon Cutting Information

We will reach out to you to confirm the date of your Ribbon Cutting. Please understand we have a lot of interest in this program and we cannot guarantee dates until our Coordinator has reached out to you. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred dates.

  • Scheduling is based on availability and requires at least two weeks' advance notice.
  • Ribbon Cutting packages are available for scheduling from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Chamber-recognized holidays.
  • Dates are not guaranteed until payment is received and confirmed by the coordinator.
  • After-hours events are subject to additional fees and staff availability.
  • The latest start time for an after-hours event is 5:30 p.m.

Preferred Dates

Please enter the organization's preferred dates and event start times to have a ribbon cutting:

Ribbon Cutting

Contact Information

Organization Information

About The Organization

Ribbon Cutting Information

We will reach out to you to confirm the dates of your Ribbon Cutting. Please understand we have a lot of interest in this program and we cannot guarantee dates until our Coordinator has reached out to you. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred dates.

  • Scheduling is based on availability and requires at least two weeks' advance notice.
  • Ribbon Cutting packages are available for scheduling from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Chamber-recognized holidays.
  • Dates are not guaranteed until payment is received and confirmed by the coordinator.
  • After-hours events are subject to additional fees and staff availability.
  • The latest start time for an after-hours event is 5:30 p.m.

Preferred Dates

Please enter the organization's preferred dates and event start times to have a ribbon cutting: