have really examined. The TiE That Binds I recently went to a local meeting of TiE -- The Indus Entrepreneurs, the world's largest entrepreneurial network -- which served as a boot camp for would-be startups getting ready to pitch the intake committee at the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI). The grilling, while friendly, was relentless, especially on the marketing assumptions that the presenter had made. He left with a long check list of ideas that needed further research and reflection. On the culling side, individuals or companies that make it into an incubator program are presented with a list of 'graduation requirements'. If you've got enough customers that you look to be self-sustaining or you've grown to take up too much space in the incubator, it's time for you to leave. Tech companies are typically given 2-3 years in an incubator before either being graduated or -- if they seem to be chronically just spinning their wheels -- forced out. The former companies usually succeed; the latter, rarely. Mentoring and support is what incubators are all about. The incubator manager can connect you with a network of experts in marketing, business, accounting, law, IT -- whatever support services you need to get off the ground. They also offer access to local networks of Angel investors and venture capitalists, to whom they can provide valuable introductions. The incubator itself typically supplies all the services of an office suite arrangement, but at a much lower price. Non-profit incubators may offer below-market rent, for-profit