Jay Friedlander, founder of College of the Atlantic's Sustainable Business Program, stands in front of the Bar Harbor college's version of the Silicon Valley garage, The Hatchery, an incubator for student entrepreneurs.Jay Friedlander, founder of College of the Atlantic's Sustainable Business Program, stands in front of the Bar Harbor college's version of the Silicon Valley garage, The Hatchery, an incubator for student entrepreneurs.

A donation to College of the Atlantic’s business incubator will allow an unusual program to graduate from its scraping-by status to a permanent place in the curriculum.

The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, honoring a Mount Desert Island summer resident, has given $1.5 million to the program, which the college calls “The Hatchery.”

“At other schools, you won’t find this combination of non-profit, for-profit, advocacy and international development, all in one space.” - Jay Friedlander 

On the scenic campus of this small, alternative college of about 350 students, where space is at a premium, The Hatchery is located in a refurbished tennis shed.

“It’s our version of the Silicon Valley garage,” jokes Jay Friedlander, who runs the program.

The Hatchery gives COA students a chance to start a business and earn college credit in an interdisciplinary environment. Since the program was established in 2010, efforts have focused on alternative energy, advocacy, food systems and the creative economy. Each student admitted into the program receives up to $5,000 in seed capital and has access to mentors, lawyers, accountants, designers and public relations professionals.

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