I recently wrote an article on linkedin about setting up business incubators. It is also replicated on my website here.
There’s been a flurry of enquiries and discussion – I’ve put some more links to further information on this web page.
General incubators and accelerators
National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) – a US-based global resource for information, education, advocacy and networking resources for supporting entrepreneurship and incubation. A go-to resource for all things incubation.
Nicola J. Dee, Finbarr Livesey, David Gill and Tim Minshall (2011) Incubation for Growth: A review of the impact of business incubation on new ventures with high growth potential, NESTA.
Miller, P. and Bound, K (2011) The Startup Factories: The rise of accelerator programmes to support new technology ventures, London: NESTA.
US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (2006) Incubating Success. Incubation Best Practices That Lead Successful New Ventures, Washington D.C.: National Business Incubation Association.
Report by European Court of Auditors on ERDF funded business incubators
University Innovation Realities by Jay Schalin
Rural incubators
The UK Government has recently established some pilot Rural Growth Networks which involve setting up enterprise hubs and incubators. There’s more information here and a detailed briefing available, but no evaluation evidence as yet.
Incubating in rural North America: Successful programs in small communities, NBIA 2013 (you can only link to the holding page – you need to be a member of NBIA or pay for the report to download it)
Irshad, H (2014) Business Incubation in Canada Literature Review & List of Business Incubators in Alberta and Canada, Rural Development Division, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.
Rural Business Incubators and Economic Development, US Department of Agriculture 1993
Identifying obstacles to rural business incubators, National Business Incubator Association, 2001