Newton World Enterprises
City of Monrovia, California
U.S. Economic Development Administration
SBIR STTR - America's Seed Fund
Oak Crest Services

MOST-IP: The Monrovia — Oak Crest Science & Technology Incubator Program

MOST-IP is a collaboration between the Oak Crest Institute of Science, the City of Monrovia and Newton World Enterprises LLC, supported by an i6 challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. MOST-IP is dedicated to facilitating scientific innovation that would otherwise go untapped.  Our goal is to help early-stage startups by providing an end-to-end support structure starting with consulting services, contract research services, SBIR/STTR grants submission and management, incubation space, and access to advanced instrumentation. This flexible menu of solutions allows startups to gradually ramp up operations while delaying the commitment to fixed costs.

Facilities and resources

  • Wet lab space: from single bench space to customizable private rooms

  • Office space: from hotdesk to private offices

  • Shared conference room and lobby for meetings

  • Shared equipment and instruments made available by OCIS

  • Direct proximity to the Oak Crest Institute of Science (OCIS) for immediate support

  • Access to OCIS contract research services: on-site outsourcing of pilot experiments, saving lab space, time and money. This includes the option of starting out as a virtual startup to generate preliminary data for SBIR/STTR submissions before committing to lab space.

  • Access to OCIS expertise: consulting services in research, grants writing and grants management for SBIR/STTR applications.

  • Access to business services:  outsourcing of management and regulatory tasks (provided by OCIS or our network of independent contractors)

  • Integration with OCIS workforce development: OCIS programs train students from local colleges for entry-level positions in startups

  • Group purchasing and membership benefits through SoCalBio

  • Established local support network with the City of Monrovia, MADIA Tech Launch, Southern California Biomedical Council, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena SBDC, La Verne SBDC and SCORE

Frequently Asked Questions about startup incubation

  • Do you have minimal requirements for the startup?
    Yes, you need a registered business and the appropriate insurance coverage to use our space. Alternatively, we can get started on your technology as a CRO service project before you start in our space (virtual startup). Simply contact us to discuss your project and what we can do to help.
  • Do you have a standard approach to incubation?
    No. Our strength is that we don’t do cookie cutter. Every startup is different and has different needs. Simply contact us to start the conversation. Our specialty is in simple, elegant solutions to complex problems. We will choose buying a new piece of equipment over installing shiny glass partitions and mahogany furniture.
  • What are your selection criteria for startups?
    1. We prefer early-stage startups that leverage our equipment and expertise. We do not want to be the “landlord” and just provide space.
    2.  A personal fit with the founders anchored in shared values. We will be working in close proximity, need to understand each other and maintain an open dialogue. See here
    3. Your startup needs to be active in R&D (see IRS definition). OCIS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and cannot support commercial manufacturing.
  • Do you select on technology?
    No, we’re agnostic to the type of technology as long as point 1. above is satisfied.
  • What are you trying to achieve with MOST-IP?
    Win-Win situations is what we’re looking for. We’re trying to lower the cost of the very early stages of technology development so that the founders don’t have to risk their last shirt on testing an idea. Simple but elegant approaches to complex problems. Ideally we try to link the startups to our educational programs too. Startups need qualified people quickly, students need opportunities to get experience in the workforce. The overarching goal is to anchor an ecosystem in Monrovia with great research, great education and exciting opportunities.

Current Startups

  • Intake Health 
    Intake Health designs IOT-enabled urinalysis systems to monitor hydration. https://www.intake.health/
  • BioCubic
    BioCubic develops atomic force microscopes and applications for biomedical imaging.
  • CERN Corporation
    CERN Corporation is developing a germicidal light device for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
  • HGenium Inc.
    HGenium is creating technology for the production of green hydrogen.
  • CRISPR Classroom
    CRISPR Classroom is an educational technology company providing training on the genetic engineering technology CRISPR. https://www.crisprclassroom.org/ 

Graduated Startups

  • Invizyne Technologies Inc.
    Invizyne is a synthetic biology company that provides solutions in cell-free synthesis of chemicals https://www.invizyne.com/
OCIS technology development

Flexible solutions for various Technology Readiness Levels

MOST-IP lab space

Chemistry labs and benches with fume hoods, sinks, DI and ultrapure water and other shared equipment

Shared conference room

10,000 sq ft facility directly adjacent to Oak Crest