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Incubator specialization and size: Divergent paths towards operational scale

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  • Klofsten, Magnus
  • Lundmark, Erik
  • Wennberg, Karl
  • Bank, Nata

Abstract

Research on incubators show that size is important in achieving efficiency and networking benefits for clients. However, little research has focused on what factors influence incubator size. We theorize and show partial support for size benefits to incubator specialization. Analyses of the relationship between size and four distinct specialization strategies in a sample of 96 European incubators show that incubator size is positively related to a strategic focus on universities and research institutes as recruitment channels and to a focus on sustainability, but unrelated to industry focus. Incubator size was found to be negatively related to a regional focus. While sustainability focused incubators tended to not find recruitment challenging, paradoxically, among those who did, the most frequently reported challenges were related to finding tenants that focus on sustainability. Post-hoc analyses revealed that tenants with a focus other than sustainability often dominate sustainability-oriented incubators, suggesting that sustainability may be more of a legitimating strategy than an explicit selection criterion.

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  • Klofsten, Magnus & Lundmark, Erik & Wennberg, Karl & Bank, Nata, 2020. "Incubator specialization and size: Divergent paths towards operational scale," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:151:y:2020:i:c:s0040162519300733
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119821
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    4. Nils Karlson & Christian Sandström & Karl Wennberg, 2021. "Bureaucrats or Markets in Innovation Policy? – a critique of the entrepreneurial state," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 34(1), pages 81-95, March.
    5. Guéneau, Grégory & Chabaud, Didier & Sauvannet, Marie-Christine Chalus, 2023. "Sticky ties: Quest for structural inter-organizational configurations in entrepreneurial ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    6. Bibeau, Jean & Meilleur, Roxane & St-Jean, Étienne, 2024. "To formalize, or not to formalize, business incubators’ networks: That is not the question," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    7. Sam Tavassoli & Viroj Jienwatcharamongkhol & Pia Arenius, 2023. "Colocation of Entrepreneurs and New Firm Survival: Role of New Firm Founder’s Experiential Relatedness to Local Entrepreneurs," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1421-1459, July.
    8. Tavassoli, Sam & Jienwatcharamongkhol, Viroj & Arenius, Pia, 2021. "Colocation of Entrepreneurs and New Firm Survival: Role of New Firm Founder’s Experiential Relatedness to Local Entrepreneurs," Papers in Innovation Studies 2021/13, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    9. Thorsten Bergmann & Hannes Utikal, 2021. "How to Support Start-Ups in Developing a Sustainable Business Model: The Case of an European Social Impact Accelerator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-29, March.
    10. Michele Manconi & Salvatore Bellomo & Anna Nosella & Lara Agostini, 2022. "Attributes of Business Incubators: A Conjoint Analysis of Venture Capitalist’s Decision Making," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, May.
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    12. Grilli, Luca & Marzano, Riccardo, 2023. "Bridges over troubled water: Incubators and start-ups’ alliances," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).

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