frequently asked questions

• Why locate at CIC instead of subletting or leasing space directly?
• What are the requirements for deposit and rental term?
• Is there parking in your building?
• Is there public transport to your location?
• Are there restaurants/services/shops nearby?
• How many people can we accommodate for a company?
• When can I move in?
• Have startups on the floor received funding from VC funds housed at CIC?
• Can you request additional space or services as you grow and discover the need?
• What if I have 2 people now, will have 3 by the end of the month and anticipate 5 more in the next two or three months?
• Can non-CIC-residents rent event/training/meeting space?

Why locate at CIC instead of subletting or leasing space directly?

CIC costs less: An anecdote may serve best here. Recently, a $1B Boston-based VC fund invested in a CIC tenant asked them to analyze the costs of staying at CIC vs. moving to their own leased space. They expected to find that permanent leased space was cheaper. What they actually found was that, in a full cost analysis, looking at a company's "total cost of infrastructure", CIC was materially less expensive than direct leasing for this 18-person company. Call Betsy Egan, Bob Glazer, Tom Furber, Geoff Mamlet or Tim Rowe at 617-758-4200 and one of us will help you build a similar spreadsheet for your business. You can simply modify this spreadsheet to fit your specific situation, so you know the numbers truly reflect your situation and needs.

Environment: CIC residents benefit from associating with other high quality start-ups, investors and serial entrepreneurs within the CIC environment.

Flexibility: CIC does not require long-term leases. CIC requires only one-month deposit and rental is on a month-to-month basis. Few other space solutions provide this level of flexibility. This flexibility is very important for emerging technology companies, because most do not know what their needs are going to be 6 or 12 months into the future. Furthermore, our offering allows companies to make minimum cash outlays up front - no expenses to get phone installation, Internet access, furniture and no delay. You can decide to move in today, and get to work at CIC, in most cases, today.

What are the requirements for deposit and rental term?
One month deposit and rental is on a month-to-month basis if you pay your rent via auto-debit. It is a two-month deposit if you wish to pay by check.

Is there parking in your building?
Yes. Parking is available on the lower floors of the building for both residents and visitors. Residents can benefit from monthly parking passes subject to availability and if you would like, you are able to validate your visitor's parking.

Is there public transport to your location?
CIC is located approximately 100 feet from the MBTA Red Line's Kendall/MIT station. Buses 64, 68 and ct2 also stop nearby CIC.

For T schedules please see:
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/
For bus schedules please see:
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/

Are there restaurants/services/shops nearby?
One Broadway houses a Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robins franchise. Within a minute's walk, there are over a dozen cafes and lunch spots catering to the local MIT and business communities, e.g. Au Bon Pain, Florentinas, Rebecca's, the famous Emmas Pizza, Legal Sea Foods, and the Blue Room.

Our neighborhood, Kendall Square, has all the services you may need from dry cleaners, post office, printers, book/stationary store to florist.

How many people can we accommodate for a company?
We are currently serving companies with up to 20 people (with a few exceptions). Most of our tenants are in the 1-15 person size range. CIC's space was designed for flexibility, and there are many ways we can work with you if you are growing quickly and do not wish to undertake the costs and risks of locking-in to a permanent space. When your company outgrows our flexible bays, we have large, customized space solutions to meet your needs no matter how large your grow.

When can I move in?
CIC can move extremely quickly to assist enterprises looking for a home. You can usually sign up today and be in your office working the same day if you like. If the particular space you desire is not available, we can provide a temporary alternative within CIC while you wait for the particular office you like to come free.

Have startups on the floor received funding from VC funds housed at CIC?
There is no expectation or requirement on the part of any resident to seek, offer or explore relationships with other tenants. This said, on a frequent basis we see investments by VCs at CIC in tenants at CIC, companies forming partnerships with one another, and companies seeking each others' services. We view this as a natural consequence of being neighbors.

Can you request additional space or services as you grow and discover the need?
Of course. CIC's motto is flexible, flexible, flexible. There are no penalties to increase or decrease your use of CIC's services. If you plan to materially decrease your use of CIC's services, we ask for 30 days' notice.

What if I have 2 people now, will have 3 by the end of the month and anticipate 5 more in the next two or three months?
CIC is ideal for growing companies. At CIC you can add space in increments of a single person any time you like. This means that if you need another desk for someone, you can add it tomorrow. If the specific area you are located in is full, you can easily locate in another area at CIC. Our aim is to work with your needs so that you are more than delighted with us. We are used to dealing with growing companies, and we understand how they work.

Can non-CIC-residents rent event/training/meeting space?
CIC's tenants take priority at CIC. CIC has extensive high-tech meeting, training and event space with stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere. In rare cases, outside organizations such as Harvard and MIT occasionally use CIC's space for special events.

Are there any rules about who can/cannot rent space at CIC?
CIC does not discriminate on the basis of race or color, creed, national origin, age, gender, physical limitations, or sexual orientation. We do, however, reserve the right to accept or deny prospective clients on any other, legally allowable, basis.

For more information on becoming a resident contact us at:

or call 617-758 4200.

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