World Bank infoDev program: Development of Regional Networks and Global Working Groups

Stefan SchanderaSeptember 2008

Information for development network of business incubators and technology parks in eastern europe and central asia

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World Bank infoDev program:Development of Regional Networks and Global Working GroupsAn introduction

Stefan Schandera, infoDev business incubator initiative regional facilitator for the Eastern European and Central Asian region

Incubating innovation. together



Regional incubator networks

RedLAC African

Incubators

Incubation Asia

ecabit

MENAinc



Infodev = information for development, started in 1996 Incubator initiative started in 2003, supported by Japanese

government Focus on financing and technical assistance of business incubators

in developing countries Growing global network: 151 incubators from 72 countries

worldwide (status September 2008) Research: First ever global assessment of incubator impact Global working groups: Women, Youth, High Growth Global Forum as global key event

infoDev



Regional think tanks and hubs

Knowledge generation and sharing among incubators,

policy-makers and other key stakeholders

Events and trainings on regional level

Exchange and mentoring programs

Hub function for members to other networks

Collaborative project, research and fundraising activities

Regional incubator networks



Building the link between the regions

Women focused business incubation

Youth focused business incubation

High-growth ICT enterprise incubation

Formed in 2008

Objectives: Creating thematic think tanks, initiating projects

Key activities in stage 1: Setting up working groups and infrastructure, assessing situation and identifying key activity areas

Global working groups



iDisc global knowledge portal

Knowledge generation and exchange

Good practice (incubators and clients)ToolboxNews and eventsResearch and benchmarkingDirectory and contactswww.idisc.netwww.ecabit.org



Eastern European and Central Asian

Business Incubators and Technology Parks Network

Founded in May 2005 in Kiev, Ukraine

Milestones: regional workshops in India 2006, Ukraine June 2007, Armenia September 2007, next in Tambov October 08

31 full members and associations from 15 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, representing about 180 incubators

Key strengths: Integrated into global network, network of practicioneers, hub function

What is ecabit



Raising awareness on innovation and entrepreneurship development among governments, universities, SMEs and other key stakeholders

Strengthening the capabilities of incubator managers as well as their clients through focused on training and learning, knowledge and experience sharing

Addressing new opportunities the globalization provides by initiating collaborative service and knowledge creation

What is ecabit doing



Raising awareness on innovation and entrepreneurship development among governments, universities, SMEs and other key stakeholders

Events: Global and regional conferences and workshops with participation of policy-makers, university representatives, SMEs

Kharkov 2007: SME Education in Economies in Transition

Yerevan 2007: Incubators and their role in Innovation Clusters

Tambov 2008: The role of business incubators in Innovation Development in Small and Medium Sized Towns and Rural Areas

Research and knowledge dissemination:

Central Asian incubators survey and benchmarking 2007

SME trainers and consultants survey in 2007

Innovation cluster survey 2007

Planned 2008: SME financing and investment

What is ecabit doing (I)



Strengthening the capabilities of incubator managers as well as their clients through focused on training and learning, knowledge and experience sharing

Knowledge and experience sharing

Newsletter and website news service

Good practice sharing through iDisc portal

Global incubator survey (MEIA) of infoDev

Training and learning

Training program on EU programs (in Tambov 2008)

Training program on Local Community Development (in Tambov 2008)

Training program on investment readiness under development

Staff exchange program under development

What is ecabit doing (II)



Addressing new opportunities the globalization provides by initiating collaborative service and knowledge creation

Myconsultant.ru

Youth 2 Innovation contest

Global networking

Under consideration by members: Commercial services

What is ecabit doing (III)



development challenges

Common interests: Large variety of incubator types, ranging from full-government funded rural incubator to fully private high-tech incubator and technology park

Sustainability 1: Limited government support

Sustainability 2: Widespread fundraising (“soft-money”) orientation of incubators

Sustainability 3: Donor programs in the region focused on national levels



development challenges

Self-sustainability of the network by

1. Value added services to members, generating readiness to contribute membership fees

2. Donor portfolio instead of single donor, also addressing the business and finance sector

3. Member in-kind contribution (e.g. travel costs, contribution to projects)

4. Lean management structure (ICT structure, network office)

Example regional workshop: Key donor support reduced from 90% in 2005 to 40% in 2008



incubators‘international activities

Conducted between July 2007 and April 2008. 14 responses from incubators from 10 countries (response rate of approx. 60%)

All ecabit incubators provide international services. Services are mostly on broad level, mostly business contacts for clients

Increasing number of incubators provides specialized services in international technology transfer (50%) and import/export consulting (3 out of 14)

Countries, regions with highest relevance for clients: Russia, Kazakhstan, European Union, USA – but also multinational companies

International networking of incubators within projects or networks and associations, e.g. SPICE, EEN, GDLN

In most cases, networking is initiated by international donors



Infodev.org

iDisc.net

iDisc.net/workgroups

Ecabit.org

Contact Stefan Schandera: [email protected]

Thank you very much for your attention!

Useful links

World Bank infoDev program: Development of Regional Networks and Global Working Groups

Documents

Transcript of World Bank infoDev program: Development of Regional Networks and Global Working Groups