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

1. World Bank infoDev program: Development of Regional Networks and Global Working Groups An introduction Stefan Schandera, infoDev business incubator initiative regional facilitator for the Eastern European and Central Asian region Incubating innovation. together

2. Regional incubator networks • ecabit • MENAinc • Incubation Asia • RedLAC • African Incubators

3. 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

4. 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

5. Global working groups 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

6. iDisc global knowledge portal Knowledge generation and exchange • Good practice (incubators and clients) • Toolbox • News and events • Research and benchmarking • Directory and contacts • www.idisc.net • www.ecabit.org

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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

13. development challenges • Self-sustainability of the network by • Value added services to members, generating readiness to contribute membership fees • Donor portfolio instead of single donor, also addressing the business and finance sector • Member in-kind contribution (e.g. travel costs, contribution to projects) • Lean management structure (ICT structure, network office) • Example regional workshop: Key donor support reduced from 90% in 2005 to 40% in 2008

14. 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

15. Useful links • Infodev.org • iDisc.net • iDisc.net/workgroups • Ecabit.org • Contact Stefan Schandera: s.schandera@schandera.de • Thank you very much for your attention!