Business Incubators
Business incubators can range from virtual networks to full-service environments that offer a spectrum of business and educational resources. They can range in scope from local to regional to national and international, and can be broadly focused or specialized in specific technologies. Extensive information about business incubators can be found at the National Business Incubation Association Web site.
NREL has played a key role in catalyzing a national network of leading incubators, called the National Alliance of Clean Energy Business Incubators. These incubators make the best business development services available to early-stage clean energy companies. A report on the formation of the Alliance can be found at (PDF 393 KB) Download Acrobat Reader.
Publications/Books
The following are written resources that provide more information related to business incubators:
The Art & Craft of Technology Business Incubation; Louis G. Tornatzky, Yolanda Batts, Nancy McCrea, Marsha Lewis, and Louisa Quittman; 1996. The authors of this guidebook surveyed and interviewed managers of more than 50 technology business incubators to identify the industry's best practices. The book is an essential tool for incubator directors and staff, business and technical assistance consultants, economic development professionals, policymakers, and those interested in promoting business development. As applications for technology multiply and the global market becomes more competitive, the ability to turn technology-based concepts into thriving businesses will play a key role in economic development strategies.
Business Incubation Works: The Results of the Impact of Incubator Investments Study; Lawrence A. Molnar, Donald R. Grimes, Jack Edelstein, Rocco De Pietro, Hugh Sherman, Dinah Adkins, Lou Tornatzky; August 1997. This NBIA publication highlights the largest research project ever conducted on business incubation and touts business incubators as a "best value" in economic development. It also provides information for existing programs on how to measure the impacts they have on participating companies and the local economy.
"Networked Incubators: Hothouses of the New Economy"; Morten T. Hansen, Henry W. Chesbrough, Nitin Nohria, and Donald N. Sull; Harvard Business Review; September-October 2000. This article highlights the booming industry of business incubators. Most provide office space, funding, and basic services. The better ones also offer an extensive network of powerful business connections, enabling fledgling start-ups to beat their competitors to market. Learn the reasons that these organizations have become the hot new way to nurture start-ups in the Internet economy.
