Archives
Publication
The art and craft of technology business incubation: Best practices, strategies and tools from more than 50 programs
Judy Mercure
CEO, Calibre Communications, Avalon NSW
Abstract
In R&D circles, much is made of the value of spinoffs (sometimes called ‘spin-outs’) and start-ups as mechanisms to commercialize research outcomes and new technologies. In the rush of enthusiasm for the mechanism, however, too little attention is focused on how one goes about ensuring these fragile operations survive and ensure as successful commercial enterprises. Even with a promising technology and committed entrepreneurial champions as givens, there are still a vast number of factors that can sink the enterprise. In a complex marketplace characterized by apparently paradoxical trends toward cooperation and competition, , fading national boundaries, accelerating invention and commercialization cycles and erosion of traditional sources of comparative advantage, these threats proliferate. According to this US publication, one method which can improve new technology-based enterprise survival rates is tenancy in a well-managed incubator facility. This article provides a detailed review and abstract of the publications’ useful information on how to set up and run incubators that will help create business successes. The publication was produced as a joint project of the Southern Technology Council in Research Triangle Park and the National Business Incubation Association in the US.
"This publication would be very useful as an input to policy development for those national and regional environments where the technology base may be strong but the investment climate requires support."
eContent Home
