Business incubators are vital players within entrepreneurial ecosystems. They specialise in identifying the most promising start-up and scale-up companies and aiding their development through holistic support packages and making connections to the wider ecosystem. Substantial public and private investments have driven major growth in the incubator population in recent decades, accompanied by other trends including increased specialisation, more virtual delivery models, and more internationalisation support.
Government support has been key to this growth in incubation and policy retains an important role. However, policymakers face questions surrounding which incubation activities to promote, which organisations to fund, whether and where to specialise, and how to incentivise good practices in support delivery. This publication is a guide for policymakers for navigating these decisions.
Part 1 sets out what incubation involves, the rationale for public involvement, and major trends. Part 2 examines the main types of incubation services provided, with chapters on coaching, internationalisation, financing, training, and specialised incubation. Part 3 discusses policy choices in developing public supports for incubators, with recommendations and inspiring practices. Finally, Part 4 presents eight country profiles (Estonia, France, Ireland, Korea, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) with information and lessons from each country’s incubation systems and policies.
