Fostering Entrepreneurship Through Business Incubation: The Role and Prospects of Postsecondary Vocational-Technical Education. Report 1: Survey of Business Incubator Clients and Managers
This is the first in a series of three reports on the roles and
prospects of two-year colleges in promoting community development
through business incubation and related services. This report
presents findings derived from a survey of business incubator
managers and clients to describe the experiences of entrepreneurs
in business incubation and to better understand the efforts of
community colleges in promoting community development. Further
insights in this regard can be found in Report 2 which describes
various case studies of business incubators operating under
different sponsorship arrangements, including support from
two-year colleges. A summary of opportunities to expand the
contribution of community colleges in economic development
through business incubation and related services is provided in
Report 3 of this series.
This report is organized into three major sections: a survey of
incubator clients, a survey of incubator managers, and a
discussion of results. This is followed by an outline of
implications for postsecondary vocational-technical education in
fostering economic development and entrepreneurship in the
community via business incubation and other potential related
services. Finally, a brief discussion is presented on the
potential opportunities to expand students’ exposure to
alternative career paths–entrepreneurship options–within the
context of school-to-work and emerging vocational programs.
Hernández-Gantes, V. M., Sorensen R. P., & Nieri, A. H. (1996, September). Fostering entrepreneurship through business incubation: The role and prospects of postsecondary vocational-technical education. Report 1: Survey of business incubator clients and managers. Berkeley, CA: National Center for Research in Vocational Education.