Jim D’Iorio founded Apech Labs, a company that develops advanced mechatronics solutions for space, aerospace, defense and energy markets, in March 2020. Four months later, in the early days of the pandemic with a toddler and a newborn at home, he began searching for dedicated workspace and found just what he was looking for at the Incubator @ Baird.

“From the start, part of our company strategy was to be affiliated with the university,” says D’Iorio. “We do both research and manufacturing, areas in which UB has a strong reputation. It’s really important for hiring as we grow, too—nine of our eleven employees are UB grads.”

Several of Apech Labs’ key customers, including NASA, say they value the company’s ties to UB. That affiliation, combined with the affordability and proximity to home, made the space a no-brainer, says D’Iorio.

Since its founding, Apech Labs has grown from one person in one office at Baird to a team of 11 occupying four suites that serve as meeting spaces, a wet lab, a prototype area and a machine shop. In the past year, the company was awarded several significant contracts including two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects with NASA and a SBIR Phase II project with the United States Space Force. These contracts involve cutting-edge development of next generation satellite docking mechanisms and lunar actuation systems.

As his company has grown, so have his relationships with other entrepreneurs in the Incubator.

“It’s so great to see other founders there,” he says. “Everyone is at a similar point in their journey, and we’reable to talk about how to handle the same issues. The mixing we get with other early-stage start-ups and with the UB Business and Entrepreneurial Partnerships team is so valuable. When you just get started, it sometimes feels like you’re going through it alone. Having someone in your corner feels crucial.”