An incubator in Ithaca continues to help small and upcoming businesses.

This summer will mark five years since Rev: Ithaca Startup Works opened its doors. Ithaca Startup Works is revving up the economy.

The incubator's growth has been anything but slow.

“There was a demand for entrepreneurs,” said Red: Ithaca Startup Works director Ken Rother. “There was a demand for support, you know entrepreneurs were looking for that support and that’s why we sort of hit the ground running.”

Rother says they focus on mentorship, looking at consumer needs and raising money, lending a helping hand to those who need it.

“Renting space anywhere as a startup is very expensive so being a part of a startup incubator it’s really helping to lighten the load on a lot of startups as they are growing,” said Dominik Recckio, the Chamber of Commerce Strategic Communications & Partnerships Director.

“Many are in different spaces whether its hospitality, or financial services or software or literacy or data science, I mean they are just all over the place,” said Rother.

Over the years they’ve worked with around 70 companies. Some are big, some are small, like Maya Carmeli’s Calli.

“It’s like the combination of Fitbit and calm app for teams so promoting reflection and open communication,” said Carmeli.

She and her partner have been at the incubator for less than a year. But finally moving in, she said, it’s exactly what she could have asked for.

“The resources that are here, the community that is the rev member community along with the mentors and the staff are all very supportive,” said Carmeli.

Last year members that worked with Rev: Ithaca startup works created 106 jobs but also developed over 50 prototypes, along with making over $12 million in revenue.

“Seeing those companies grow, provide local economic support and resources and jobs and you know if the car is a great beautiful place for career, community and quality of life,” said Recckio.

Recckio said the incubator has helped keep college students local like Carmeli.

“I can just come downstairs and like ask one of the mentors that are here and get an answer immediately and talk something out. So there is that immediate feedback loop,” said Carmeli.

It’s a loop that’ll continue as Rev: Ithaca Startup works looks forward to its next five years. The incubator has added three new companies this year.