Incubators as Tools for Entrepreneurship Promotion in Developing Countries

OpenAlex · İngilizce

This chapter provides an overview of the extant literature on incubators, and provides a novel typology of incubators. Incubators are classified along two dimensions: profit versus not-for-profit and general versus specific. In this framework the chapter then reviews the evidence of the effects of incubators and discusses country case studies for Brazil, China, India, and Turkey. The chapter concludes that the challenges faced by incubators should not be underestimated. To maximize the chances of success eight dimensions of a good incubator policy are discussed, namely: clarity of mission and purpose; clear selection, and entry and exit criteria; managerial capacity and incubator management skills; regular monitoring and performance evaluation of participating firms; strategic selection of services, minimizing start-up costs, and red tape; clear focus on intangible services rather than tangible services such as office space or infrastructure; promotion of networking as a deliberate strategy; financial sustainability.