4. Outline
Learning Outcomes
Concept Overview
Snapshot – Case Study
SCORE Analysis
New Zealand vs Malaysia
New Zealand/Malaysia vs Fiji
Success Factors
Conclusion
Recommendation
5. Learning Outcomes
Understand Business Incubation.
Identify best practices – NZL.
Identify reasons to incubate.
14. Purpose of study:
Snapshot
Analyse public policy in incubation
development
Identify critical success factors for
development of incubators
15. Incubator policy introduced 2001
Based on Israeli model
High-tech and high growth oriented
Learning - USA, Australia and Europe
Background
16. Why Incubators
New Zealand?
Growth oriented SMEs
Remoteness
Accelerate new companies –
VC Industry
SME - 85% market share
17. Ultimate
Enhance survival & growth
Intermediate
Promote best practice
Networking - interested parties
Angel investors
Venture capitalist
Networking with CRI’s
Objectives
18. Programme Mechanism
Incubator awards
annual merit-based financial awards - approved
incubators
The Incubator Development Unit (IDU)
Residing within NZTE
Servicing the incubator network
Administer incubator awards
19. Support Mechanisms
NZTE;
export support
market development assistance
international networks
training and knowledge programs
funding assistance service
international growth fund
20. Performance so far
•First Incubator in 2001
•19 Incubators received grant of 16.73m NZD
•A number have closed, merged or ineligible
•8 incubators in operation
•7 have secured approved status and in receipt of government
subsidies
•Total of 160 incubatees; an average of 20 per incubator
22. New Zealand Stakeholders
Central Government (NZTE)
Local Councils & Economic Development Agencies
Universities
Crown Research Institutes
Private Sector Organizations & Companies
23. Incubation Drivers
The two broad drivers are;
1. Boosting export revenues
1. Commercialisation of R&D
High value employment
creation
24. Objectives Incubation Support Program
Enhance success and growth of early-stage
Promote best practice
Enhance networking:
among incubator managers and with organizations
between incubators and universities / CRIs
Encourage technology transfer and commercialisation
25. How to Access the Fund
Investors must be accredited
Evaluation process:
desktop evaluation
site visit
detailed due diligence
capabilities - potential investment partner
Angel investor networks titled ‘Escalator’ also
support companies to be investment ready
26. Setting up of viable enterprise
Appropriate feasibility study
Governance & management
Good networking
Clear focus & direction
Success Factors
28. Strengths
Achievement of best practice
Good networking
Push towards financial independence
Clear focus and direction
Effective partnership between government &
incubation industry
Funding process
32. Effectiveness
Is it Efficient?
Proper utilisation of funding and quality mechanism in place
Is it Reliable?
Linkages Universities for Learning and Growth and Re-engineering process
Is it Appropriate?
SME Development stimulates NZ Business Environment
Is it Integrated?
Promotes PPP with Government providing an enabling environment
33. New Zealand Malaysia
Objectives
Generate hi-tech growth-orientated
internationally exporting SMEs
Technology transfer and
Innovation
Strategy
Framework
Incubator Sup-port Program (ISP)
Zealand Trade and Enter-prise
Incubator Development Unit
National Incubator
Development Frame-work
Period of grant
funding
Annual basis
Self sustainability 2014
Open ended
Long term funding
% of funding 50% of running costs 100% running & start-up costs
Ownership/
Universities
Universities
Partnership
Commercial entities
National Authorities
Structure
Regional economic agencies
Voluntary Organisations
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Regular statistic report
Annual performance benchmark
Performance data – former tenants
Government – none
Incubator management -
informal
34. Fiji vs Malaysia & New Zealand
• Scale and types of business
• Support by government
• Stakeholder support
• Data collection
35. Fiji vs Malaysia & New Zealand
• Policies
• Learning and Growth
• Sustainability
• M&E
36.
37. To contribute to
competitiveness and local job
creaction
5
4
3
2
1
0
To help universities and R&D
centres commercialise know-how
To help companies generate
spin-of activities
To contribute to technology
transfer and innovation and
wealth creation
To help disadvantaged
communities/individual with
projects
Importance of Objectives
NZ
Malaysia
Fiji
40. How incubators cover costs
55%
18%
1%
12%
7%
7%
Subsidies - National
Authorities and public
agencies
Income from banks and other
private sector organizations
Income from universities and
other R & D organizations
Rental income and other
incubator charges
Other earned income
Investment income
41. Conclusion
Innovation - socio-economic development
Incubators strong engine:
economic development
job creation
Long term success - SME
BI vehicle ideas – socio-economic value
Develop graduate ideas
SME economic backbone
Incubation future business model
44. Acknowledgements
Our Lord God Almighty
Professor James McMaster, Professor Management
Studies
Ravi Chand, National Centre for Small
and Micro Enterprises Development
AkanisiWaqanicakau, National Centre for Small
and Micro Enterprises Development
Our families
Ice Breaker
Use this to engage the audience. Ask for a show of hands of All Black fans and rearranging seating arrangements to ensure each table has an All Blacks fan.
Then move into a warm up exercise using Papeeta!
EU Centre for Strategy & Evaluation Services:
“A business incubator is an organization that accelerates and systematizes the process of creating successful enterprises by providing them with a comprehensive and integrated range of support, including: incubator space, business support services, and clustering and networking opportunities …[and]… a successful business incubator will generate a steady flow of new businesses with above average job and wealth creation potential”…
Incubators Goal
A business incubator‘s main goal is to produce successful firms that will leave the program financially viable and freestanding. These incubator graduates have the potential to create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, commercialize new technologies, and strengthen local and national economies
Incubators Goal
A business incubator‘s main goal is to produce successful firms that will leave the program financially viable and freestanding. These incubator graduates have the potential to create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, commercialize new technologies, and strengthen local and national economies
What is business incubation?
According to the EU Centre for Strategy & Evaluation Services:
“A business incubator is an organization that accelerates and systematizes the process of creating successful enterprises by providing them with a comprehensive and integrated range of support, including: incubator space, business support services, and clustering and networking opportunities …[and]… a successful business incubator will generate a steady flow of new businesses with above average job and wealth creation potential”…
The incubation period takes 3 – 5 years before a firm can graduate from the program i.e. it is deemed financially viable
Business incubators are designed to enhance the success of early-stage entrepreneurial companies
Speed the establishment of self-sustaining companies.
What is business incubation?
According to the EU Centre for Strategy & Evaluation Services:
“A business incubator is an organization that accelerates and systematizes the process of creating successful enterprises by providing them with a comprehensive and integrated range of support, including: incubator space, business support services, and clustering and networking opportunities …[and]… a successful business incubator will generate a steady flow of new businesses with above average job and wealth creation potential”…
Business incubators are designed to enhance the success of early-stage entrepreneurial companies
Speed the establishment of self-sustaining companies.
Incubation process
Why incubate?
Create jobs
Improves entrepreneurial climate
Accelerates growth
NZL incubators target innovative firms rather then service or retail firms
Why incubate?
Most of all to secure better chances for your success – 87% more!
Case study was produced as part of the World Bank infoDev project on developing a policy framework and implementation strategy for business incubators.
Why New Zealand?
NZ incubation system provides possible applicable model on independent entities supported by both Government and other stakeholders
Policy was put in place in 2001 soon after Asian financial crisis, which had an adverse impact on NZ.
Initial set up of incubators was based on Israeli model – hi-tech and growth-oriented-combined with deliberate learning from USA, Australia and Europe.
Why IncubatorsNew Zealand?
Generate growth oriented and internationally competitive SMEs
Country’s remoteness from the rest of the world and relatively small domestic market
The incubators to accelerate the development of new companies to graduate and become VC Industry
Support SME which comprises 85% of the New Zealand market share
The ultimate objective of the Incubator Support Programme is to enhance the survival and growth of early-stage businesses via the development of high quality incubators.
The programme’sintermediate objectives are to:
•promote best practice among incubators in New Zealand;
•enhance networking among incubator managers and with organisations that have an interest in incubation and incubated businesses (i.e. angel investors, venture capitalists); and
•enhance networking between incubators and CRIs (Community Research Initiatives) and universities to encourage technology transfer and commercialisation.
These objectives are achieved through two mechanisms:
the Incubator Awards (annual merit-based financial awards to approved incubators) and the
Incubator Development Unit (IDU) residing within New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
The mainprogrammes supporting enterprise development in the country are provided by NZ Trade and Enterprise. These support services include the following.
Export support and market development assistance
Access to international networks,
Training and knowledge programs,
Funding assistance service and international growth fund
Institutional Environment for Incubators in New Zealand where they each play a role in the Incubation Policy Development & Implementation
Two broad drivers of incubation policy with consequential high value employment creation that was particularly important at that time.
The main objectives have been achieved by stimulating a ‘pipeline’ of high-growth businesses through incubators and other programmes.
To enhance the success and growth of early-stage businesses via the development of high-quality, financially self-sustaining incubators.
To promote best practice among incubators in NZ, enhance networking among incubator managers and with organizations
To enhance networking between incubators and Universities/CRIs to encourage technology transfer and commercialisation
Incubator Support Program (ISP)
Equity
Royalty
Deferred debt
Initial funding of incubator programs is usually provided by provided by public authorities
How they carry out their work/process?
Incubators invests time & money in feasibility studies
Successful incubation program are developed
Interested company prepares & submit a fleshed-out business plan
Screening committee review the plan to determine whether they meet the criteria for admission
Criteria:
An effective plan
Availability of market
Growth of market out turn
Sales growth & associated profitability
Well-formed governance structure for self-perpetuation
What makes Incubation successful
Appropriate feasibility study
An effective feasibility study will help determines whether the proposed project has a solid market, a sound financial base and strong community support.
Clear Focus & Direction – Governance & Management
Having a clear idea of which is the process behind the selection of participants and mentors all together gives you a wider understanding of the proposed mission and goals of the incubator. It should be obvious that no business incubator can be successful if every member of its governing board, its management and the public think it should be achieving different goals. All supporters should come together to gain consensus and aim to achieve the same desires.
Clear Focus and Direction
As a result of industry and government collaboration.
Partnership between govt and Incubation Industry
Based on share goals and a commitment of best practice incubation
Funding process:
Balances nicely an outcome orientation with quality processes leading to diversity of models, each carefully tailored to the local condition.
Challenge:
Regardless of the ownership structure, one of the most significant challenges of business incubators is to achieve financial stability. Financial stability defined narrowly as “earned revenue covering all business incubation expenses”.
Recommendation:
Implement more stringent selection criteria for potential incubatees are inline with core objectives and local market needs
Thorough feasibility assessment of potential incubatees
Innovations need to be tailored to local market conditions
Negotiate sustainable percentages in start-up post graduation
Developing partnerships and strategic alliances
Private sector partnership
Challenge:
Finding and retaining management teams with right mentality and skills set.
Recommendation
Attractive remuneration package inclusive of shares in graduate innovations
Develop a succession plan
Challenge:
Limited systematic data available to measure the effectiveness of business incubation. This is because it takes at least three to four years to incubate a promising enterprise but four to seven years for real growth in business revenue
Recommendation:
Develop appropriate indicators for measuring effectiveness such as – number of innovative enterprises created. The viability, revenue size and growth rate of those enterprises. The investment size attracted as a proxy for perceived market value.
Lack of data of survival rate of graduate incubators
Recommendation:
Develop program to monitor and support graduate incubatees. Implement skills to bridge the “gaps” that cause the failure in “incubation” period
Opportunities:
Joining Business Incubator Networks for peer to peer networking and knowledge sharing
Strategic partnerships & alliances through:
Universities – expertise & space as well as branding and credibility
Banks & Business Angels – funding by supporting potential cliental
Capitalise on funding, expertise and links to markets through corporate social responsibility programs
Commericialisation of equipment
The Government with its Political Will to stimulate its SMEs as its engine for growth in its Business environment provides the necessary support through funding and legal framework and policies.
Key Stakeholder Support is evident with Central Government for funding, Local Councils in some cases are contributing sponsors, Universities for Learning and Growth, Crown Research Institute for Technical Assistances and Private Sector Organization for support.
The government is also looking at ways to support through funding Satellite Incubators which at the present is not part of the NZTE. This will mean changing the law to influence the government funding criteria rule which is currently omitted due to absence of on-site management and physical premises.
Comparative of New Zealand Incubatorvs Malaysian incubcator
When comparing Fiji’s Business Incubation set up with the two countries, as apparent the two countries are quite well established. As for scale of the businesses that are nurtured under the incubation model Fiji’s example is relatively small with only 5 businesses that are currently facilitated in a space provided for by the National Centre for Small to Medium Enterprise Development in Suva. It has a capacity for 10 but currently they only have 5.
In NZ’s case the government provide some funding apart from other form of support to the Incubators whereas for Fiji the only form of support is the office space which is rent free, telephone, internet connections and computers. The center is still lobbying with government for funding if it is seriously considering the role of SMEs as stimulants for Economic Growth.
Stakeholder Support in Fiji’s case is still very much wanting at this stage. Compared to the two countries these are again well established and the fact that they have been in existence for some time may have been a contributing factor.
In Fiji’s case one of the problematic area in the Data Collection process. This is yet to be established.
As for policies, Fiji’s case it provides contracts to incubatees for a period of 3 years and this is renewable however, like the other two countries the aim is to provide that necessary support during the start up period. Given the high % of failures in small business due to competition and other factors support through policies as enablers are necessary. In the area of Learning and Growth with NZ and Malaysia linkages with Universities and Research institutions are set up and in Fiji’s case this is yet to be formalized.
As in Fiji’s case, sustainability of the program is evidently a problem. The first lot of incubatees have yet to graduate to move one thus the sustainability of the program at this stage still looks bleak.
Also the Monitoring and Evaluation framework is yet to be in place.
On comparing the priority each of the Country placed on the Incubation Model adopted we can note the differences in the weighting placed each of the objectives, on a scale of 1 – 5 and 5 being the top priority. This is very much linked to the type of business environment and economy that is present in that particular country. You will note that for the two countries that is NZ and Malaysia their weightings on their objectives are relatively the same that is on technological innovation and R&D. However for Fiji, given our business environment and other variables our priorities is very much still on job creation and helping disadvantaged communities with little emphasis on R&D and Technological innovation.
Best practices
Incubation Process
Performance assessments for proper management
Government funded incubators have to report certain statistics on a regular basis
Undergo annual capability and performance assessments conducted by the IDU
They must have clear governance rules and be able to articulate entry and exit procedures. These governance rules, entry and exit procedures and standards are defined by NZTE but can be interpreted flexibly at local level.
Incubators also have their own criteria for screening projects (see examples). They all have plans for self-sustainability which are required as part of the funding mechanism
These governance rules, entry and exit procedures and standards are defined by NZTE but can be interpreted flexibly at local level
Established criteria for screening projects (see examples)
Plans for self-sustainability which are required as part of the funding mechanism
Best practices
Incubation Process
Performance assessments for proper management
Government funded incubators have to report certain statistics on a regular basis
Undergo annual capability and performance assessments conducted by the IDU
They must have clear governance rules and be able to articulate entry and exit pro-cedures. These governance rules, entry and exit procedures and standards are defined by NZTE but can be interpreted flexibly at local level.
Incubators also have their own criteria for screening projects (see examples). They all have plans for self-sustainability which are required as part of the funding mechanism
Monitoring & evaluation of companies during and after incubation
Undertakes comprehensive annual:
capability assessments and performance appraisal to encourage continuous improvement in operating standards.
Clear governance rules in incubator process
Articulate entry and exit procedures
These governance rules, entry and exit procedures and standards are defined by NZTE but can be interpreted flexibly at local level
Established criteria for screening projects (see examples)
Plans for self-sustainability which are required as part of the funding mechanism
Our readings lead us to conclude that:
innovation is key to social and economic development
a business incubator facility can be a strong engine for economic development and job creation
the incubator model creates an environment greatly improving a new enterprise’s chance for long term success.
business incubators can be the vehicle to turn ideas into real socio-economic value Capability to innovate is human nature
Such a facility will provide our “best-and-brightest” students the opportunities to take their ideas and turn them, along with their hard work, in success stories. In the near future.
Potential for SME become backbone of an economy
Business incubation future business model
Challenge:
Regardless of the ownership structure, one of the most significant challenges of business incubators is to achieve financial stability. Financial stability defined narrowly as “earned revenue covering all business incubation expenses”.
Recommendation:
Implement more stringent selection criteria for potential incubatees
Thorough feasibility assessment of potential incubatees
Innovations need to be tailored to local market conditions
Negotiate competitive percentage of equity in start-up firms post incubation
Developing partnerships and strategic alliances
Private sector partnership
Challenge:
Finding and retaining management teams with right mentality and skills set.
Recommendation
Attractive remuneration package inclusive of shares in graduate innovations
Develop a succession plan
Challenge:
Limited systematic data available to measure the effectiveness of business incubation. This is because it takes at least three to four years to incubate a promising enterprise but four to seven years for real growth in business revenue
Recommendation:
Develop appropriate processes & indicators to measuring effectiveness such as – number of innovative enterprises created. The viability, revenue size and growth rate of those enterprises. The investment size attracted as a proxy for perceived market value.
Challenges
Lack of data of survival rate of graduate incubators
Recommendation:
Develop program to monitor and support graduate incubatees. Implement skills to bridge the “gaps” that cause the failure in “incubation” period