What's with the CIC references?

People following my @ilamont and @invantory Twitter feeds may have noticed frequent references and updates relating to the CIC. It stands for "Cambridge Innovation Center," an office building in Kendall Square that is hugely important to the local startup scene and to our startup as well.

More than 200 companies and individuals (including my business partner) rent office space in the CIC. Even for the cheapest co-working space (currently $250/month), wi-fi, coffee, and access to conference rooms and printers are included in the no-lease rental price. Most of the companies are tech startups that are developing businesses around software, hardware, and devices, although there are also investors and supporting firms (such as lawyers) in the building. We are in the CIC on a regular basis for meetings and events.

Besides being large, the community at the CIC is also very supportive. I've contacted numerous startup founders in the CIC to ask questions, and have never been turned down for a meeting. Some founders even make a point of helping others, either through free events or "entrepreneur's office hours". One example that stands out is a CEO of a small digital marketing firm who held such a session for me at 7 o'clock in the evening, which meant that she wouldn't be getting home until quite late. Such is the life of startup people, but I was touched nonetheless -- she didn't have to do this, but she did anyway, because she wanted to help other founders.

If you're interesting in learning more, I've written about the Cambridge Innovation Center and can share my opinion about the environment there. However, for specifics or more in-depth reviews of the CIC, it's necessary to contact old hands or the CIC operating company itself.