The analysis of the general conditions of the surrounding environment will lead to an understanding of the infrastructure, profile and characteristics defining the local economy; the physical conditions for the implementation of the incubator; the economic vocation of the region, which sectors need to be developed more or supported; the target public and its needs.
Stages/Critical Issues
- Survey of corporate profiles and local vocations: identification of the characteristics of the industrial trade and services sectors, the size of each segment and the companies, the main areas of action, the vocation of the region etc. This survey is designed to identify production chains and market niches that offer opportunities to develop new enterprises, as well as companies that could work in partnership with the incubator in order to generate new businesses and technologies (See attachment Feasibility Study for the Incubator).
- Survey of existing infrastructure: identify communications, transportation and sanitation facilities, as well as local buildings and paved surfaces that could be used by the incubator or the incubated companies. At this stage, buildings may also be identified that could be assigned for the incubator operations. The infrastructure analysis helps decide on the best site for the incubator and what type of investments will be required in infrastructure. In order to support these companies in the ICT area, for instance, it is necessary to know whether Internet access in the region is available by cable at high speeds, etc (See attachment Feasibility Study for the Incubator).
- Existence of teaching and research institutions: the link between incubators, research centers and teaching institutions is very fruitful, particularly when the incubators are technology-based. Consequently, it is important that the incubator should be supported by these institutions right from the start. In order to analyze the feasibility of the incubator, a survey should check whether there are any universities and research centers in the region, what areas of action and lines of research they follow, the availability of their technical staff for consultation, their experiences in university-enterprise relationships, etc. This helps to find the type of technological services that could be offered to the incubated companies (See attachment Feasibility Study for the Incubator).
Responsible Parties
- Technical experts from the institution wishing to set up the incubator.
Indicators and Goals
- Time and Costs for the Development of the Feasibility Study;
- Resources brought in and political support achieved through the Feasibility Study.
Results
The outcome of this analysis is the identification of possible areas of action for the incubator and the infrastructure either existing or to be implemented, which could underpin the activities of the incubator.
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