SAN JOSE, Calif. – LSU Louisiana Business & Technology Center Executive Director Charles D’Agostino was unexpectedly honored last Tuesday with the National Business Incubation Association’s President’s Award during the 25th International Conference on Business Incubation.

“This is only the second such award given,” D’Agostino said. “I was really speechless, if you can believe that.”

The award was presented “for lifetime achievement in support of the business incubation industry,” a lifetime that has seen D’Agostino head the LBTC since its inception in 1988. D’Agostino and the LBTC are no strangers to being recognized by the NBIA.

In 2009, the LBTC was awarded the Incubator Innovation Award for its business Incubator on Wheels program that offers entrepreneurship training to clients in rural, underserved areas and hurricane disaster recovery areas via the Mobile Classroom. Two years prior to that, the LBTC was a finalist for the same award and, in 2005, the LBTC was named the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the year.

During the four-day 25th International Conference on Business Incubation, individuals participated in in-depth workshops, educational sessions, incubator tours and informal discussions. Through these training and networking opportunities, attendees learn about incubator sustainability, entrepreneur services, client funding options and industry best practices.

The Louisiana Business & Technology Center, an integral part of LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business’ Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, endeavors to enhance economic development in Louisiana through the support of existing small businesses and the development of new businesses. Established in 1988, the LBTC’s highly successful business incubator program has been honored as the National Business Incubator Association’s Incubator of the Year. For more information, visit www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc or call 225-578-7555.

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