How to better compliment the business start-up needs of university-based incubatees: University Based Business Incubator
Translated title
How to better compliment the business start-up needs of university-based incubatees
Author
Edward, Thomas
Term
4. term
Publication year
2017
Pages
80
Abstract
This thesis examines how university-based incubators can better complement the needs of start-ups during their early development. Focusing on Aalborg University’s incubator, it explores incubatees’ experiences and the interventions they encounter to identify what support is required across the incubation process. The study uses a qualitative design combining one focus group and semi-structured interviews with four student-led start-ups selected for their relevance. Findings indicate two layers of support: basic provisions and less visible interventions that can provide a competitive edge. The study also uncovers peer-to-peer knowledge “leakage” that is not systematically captured, alongside genuine skill deficits among novice entrepreneurs in both hard and soft competencies. It further finds that selection mechanisms tend to favor ventures aligned with the incubator’s strategic goals—potentially sidelining others—and that incubator managers may face a loyalty dilemma and overlook day-to-day start-up issues amid operational demands. As incubators strengthen their value propositions and operations, they may also become less flexible toward diverse teams and concepts. The thesis contributes a nuanced view of incubation support and points to opportunities to better capture and share peer knowledge, while encouraging further research on this topic.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan universitetsbaserede inkubatorer bedre kan komplementere de behov, som start-ups har i deres tidlige udvikling. Med udgangspunkt i Aalborg Universitets inkubator udforsker studiet inkubatanters erfaringer og de indsatser, de møder, for at identificere, hvilke former for støtte der efterspørges gennem inkubationsforløbet. Metodisk anvendes en kvalitativ tilgang bestående af en fokusgruppe og semistrukturerede interviews med fire studenterdrevne start-ups udvalgt for deres relevans. Resultaterne peger på to lag af støtte: grundlæggende ydelser og mindre synlige indsatser, der kan give start-ups et forspring. Studiet afdækker desuden uformel vidensudveksling (“videnslækage”) mellem teams, som ikke systematisk opsamles, samt reelle kompetencegab hos nye iværksættere i både hårde og bløde færdigheder. Analysen viser, at selektionsmekanismer ofte favoriserer projekter, der passer til inkubatorens strategiske mål, hvilket kan efterlade andre bagud, og at inkubatormanagere kan stå i et loyalitetsdilemma og overse daglige start-up-udfordringer, når driftsopgaver fylder. Endelig kan en styrket og tydelig værdiforslag gøre inkubatoren mindre fleksibel over for mangfoldige teams og koncepter. Afhandlingen bidrager med et nuanceret blik på inkubationsstøtte og peger på potentiale i at opsamle og dele peer-til-peer-viden, samtidig med at der opfordres til yderligere forskning på dette område.
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