The basic objective of innovation, which includes the processes involved in the creation of a new product, process, or organizational form, is deeply rooted in helping human beings live a comfortable life. Technology business incubation is one such arrangement, where start-ups explore their ideas and dreams under the guided support of an incubator. The book maps the role of various actors and agencies in influencing the incubation process, and provides an overview of India’s innovation ecosystem. It also explores how the existing incubation model enhances the country’s overall development pathway. The study, besides providing an in-depth analysis of the incubation process in India, also examines the science and technology culture of the country, and how this influences its development ecosystem.

Why do Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) emerge rapidly as an instrument of start-up promotion in emerging economies like India? In what forms? What role do they play in start-up promotion? What are their major achievements? These questions have been answered empirically in this book. Accordingly, this book explores the nature, structure and process of incubation resulting in start-up generation and in the process, R&D contribution emerging from TBIs comprising accelerators, incubators and co-working spaces in three of the leading start-up hubs, namely, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, in India. It describes typology, objectives, sponsors, and facilities provided by these TBIs. It further explores the process of selection, incubation and graduation of start-ups as it exists in these TBIs. Thereafter, it makes an assessment of R&D contributions that have emerged from the TBIs in the form of R&D inputs comprising personnel and capital expenditure, and R&D output in the form of new products/services developed, patent applications filed and revenue generated. Policy makers, researchers, engineering and management students, technology and business mentors, angels, venture capitalists, and MNC executives will find this book informative, revealing and a source of valuable insights on the new, emerging India.

To study the role of business incubators in the economic growth of India, it is imperative to understand whether or not incubators reduce the mortality of start-ups. Are incubators instrumental in providing an effective platform for accelerating the growth of start-ups? Do the existing incubators meet the expectations of start-ups? Are incubated start-ups able to attract funding from venture capitalists? These are only some of the questions that fall within the scope of this research. In this book, the authors explore the subject in-depth in an attempt to respond to them. For the purpose of this study, primary and secondary research data were used. In the context of American, European and Chinese incubator industries, this data was readily available. However, due to its nascent stage, there was not enough secondary data available in the context of the Indian incubation industry. Therefore, primary research was carried out. Thus, in order to design the research, structured interviews with the founders of start-ups and incubator managers were conducted. The findings of the study reveal that, despite the gaps between the offering of incubators and the expectations of start-ups, there is a positive impact of business incubators on job creation, wealth generation and the creation of intellectual property.

This pioneering work explores both the theory and practice of business and technology incubation over the past six decades as an approach to new venture creation and development. With a global scope, the Handbook examines key concepts, models, and mechanisms, providing a research-based analytical foundation from which to understand the emerging role of modern incubation tools in building entrepreneurship ecosystems for promoting targeted economic development.

Many businesses around the world use technology as a means to set-up, run and improve their commercial performance but not all countries have sufficient access to technology. In fact the ’digital divide' between rich and poor countries is one of the major international challenges facing our society. Technology Business Incubation describes a concept whereby technological support and services are offered to start-up companies in the fields of engineering, science and technology to help them further their own research and develop viable businesses. Aimed at developed and developing countries this concept could provide a solution in bridging the knowledge gap. Written by Rustam Lalkaka, a well-known expert in the field, the toolkit provides invaluable information for carrying out feasibility studies; preparing business plans; choosing a location; finding sponsors; selecting managers and tenants; and monitoring a technology business incubator. Annexes contain checklists and report pro formas to help prepare relevant documents based on local needs

This book focuses on exploring the linkages between natural disasters and sustainable development at the global, regional, and national levels. Disasters and development are closely related, yet the disciplinary silos prevail and there is little communication and cooperation between the disaster management, environment, and development communities. One catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, tsunami, or cyclone, can destroy infrastructure, people’s lives and livelihoods, and set back development. Similarly, slow onset disasters—often associated with global climate change—pose threats to development, livelihoods, food security, and long-term sustainable development. This book is uniquely aimed at bridging the gaps between the environmental, development, and disaster management communities. It traces the evolution of concepts and practice and highlights the linkages between natural disasters and sustainable development in key sectors, including food security, health, and water. The book includes case studies from the field highlighting the complex issues that challenge sustainable development and disaster risk management in practice. It draws policy conclusions for the global community based on state-of-the art knowledge from research and practice. The primary target groups for the book are researchers, including graduate students, in the fields of environment and sustainable development, geography, disaster risk reduction, and climate change studies. The second target group comprises practitioners and policymakers working in national and international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.