UNIVERSITIES AND INCUBATORS: KEY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIOECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DRIVING FACTORS
Liane Mahlmann Kipper
University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil
E-mail: liane@unisc.br
Evandro Rodrigues
University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil
E-mail: evanddro@gmail.com
Aline Graziele Ferrari
University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil
E-mail: alineferrari@mx2.unisc.br
Bruna Bueno Mariani
University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil
E-mail: brunamariani@mx2.unisc.br
Submission: 10/02/2014
Revision: 07/03/2014
Accept: 10/04/2014
ABSTRACT
Economic diversification is an
utterly important factor for regions that are directly or indirectly related to
any productive mechanisms and seek to strengthen their foundations for the
generation of jobs and income. Within this context, to invest in business
preparation and maturation, especially in the ones related to the technological
area, turns out to be an interesting mean of diversifying a regional economy
that is facing the risk of stagnation. This study considers the importance of
the role taken on by universities and their incubators in driving
entrepreneurship and supporting the creation of new companies and the
innovative capacity of a country through knowledge transfer amongst
universities and companies, generating benefits and socioeconomic progress. It
also conducts a case study on a company of the information technology area,
recently incubated and whose major objective consists in becoming part of this
economic diversification basis.
Keywords: socioeconomic development,
entrepreneurship, incubation process, universities - businesses
1. INTRODUCTION
Economic
diversification may be taken as a decisive factor for any country willing to
keep constantly growing, especially if the characteristics of constant changes
and uncertainties in the global economic scenario are analyzed. Therefore, any
initiatives that seek this diversification deserve praise. Within this context,
according to Viana (2012), there is need for coming up with a solution to avoid
dilemmas stemming from a fragile position, consciously analyzing the future
scenarios to which the company is submitted in the Brazilian and global market,
the simulation of possible changes in
the market, competition and macro-economic environments.
According
to Matíz and Naranjo (2010), entrepreneurship and the creation of companies are
viewed as major strategies to define the existing policies geared towards
socioeconomic development.
In this context and according to
Birgitta, et al. (2013), by creating and developing new technologies and
markets, entrepreneurship carries vital importance in promoting economic
development and growth. Companies with higher turnover, growth and high level
of knowledge are the ones that demonstrate an innovative behavior (FRANCO;
HAASE, 2013).
It
is worth noting that private initiatives have been part of this process
together with universities and government promoting innovation and
entrepreneurship. Therefore the interaction among universities and companies is
defined by linking the scientific knowledge source and the part responsible for
applying such knowledge. The main role of educational and technology research
institutions is to assist companies in the innovating process and changing
paradigm (ZAMPIERI et al., 2011).
Therefore,
this article aims at considering the importance of Universities as the driving
force of Brazil’s socioeconomic development, supporting innovation through
transfer of academic experience and encouraging an entrepreneurial culture. We
will also raise the importance of University technology incubators and parks
and their influence in creating and developing businesses, whilst highlighting
a case study from an incubator in the South of Brazil.
1.1
Methodology
To
achieve the proposed aim, the methodology was defined on the grounds of a
bibliographic survey, basically obtained through analyses of related scientific
papers and materials that intend to clarify the type of work in technological
incubators. Later on, meetings were held, from time to time, with the aim to
come up with a pre-business plan, containing all initial information related to
the ideas of the company to be set up.
The
work is derived from an explanatory, descriptive research of a case study. With
regard to the objectives, this research is characterized as exploratory which,
according to Santos (2001), has the intention to provide more familiarity with
the subject and, starting from the prospection of materials, clarifying its
real importance, the stage it has reached, while revealing new sources of
information. To this end, it involves a bibliographic survey and interviews
with professionals of the area.
Furthermore,
it is of descriptive character, once the exploratory research will serve as
basis for the survey of the characteristics of the theme in question, which is
considered to be a survey of the known characteristics that are part of the
problem. And, according to Santos (2001), in line with the collection
procedure, the research method that was adopted is also classified as case
study, since it selects an object, in this case the incubation stages of an
enterprise, with the aim to go deep into its characteristics.
2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN BRAZIL
Entrepreneurship
may be defined as the ability to identify opportunities in relation to the
creation of new processes, new products, new organizations, new businesses, and
visualizing improvements, thereby generating benefits to an economy, increasing
employment, wealth and its distribution. Entrepreneurship is closely linked to
innovation and depends on freedom of people to create and their willingness to
invent. To be able to have new insights that lead to new opportunities (FRANCO,
2005). Wennekers and Thurik (1999), when studying historical and current
influence of entrepreneurship stated that nations that promote entrepreneurship
stand out in the world economic scenario.
Entrepreneurship
has been expanding in Brazil since the 90's. With the introduction of the
General Law of Micro and Small Enterprises in 2007 and the Law of Micro
Individual Entrepreneur in 2008, entrepreneurship gains impetus (BRASIL, 2013).
Governmental incentives for entrepreneurship in Brazil are being increased year
after year with public notices encouraging professionals and creative
entrepreneurial studies. The government has announced in 2013 that Brazilian
Technical courses will encompass entrepreneurship. This incentive is the result
of a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the
Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), aiming to reach at
least 1.5 million students in Technical Education until 2014. In order to achieve this the government is
also going to invest in training
teachers offering scholarships in entrepreneurial education at
post-graduate and masters level (ANPROTEC, 2013).
The
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research about Entrepreneurship in Brazil (GEM,
2012), which gathered information from
those aged between 18 - 64 years-old in 69 countries, showed that in 2012
Brazil had around 36 million established or startup entrepreneurships
representing 30.2 % of the Brazilian population. It is noticeable that from
2002 to 2012 the total rate of entrepreneurship in Brazil increased almost 10%.
This evolution coincides with the improvement in the Brazilian economy.
Nowadays,
the motivation for entrepreneurship is related to the vision of business
opportunities which account for 69.2%. It is a significant figure in comparison
to 42% in 2002. It shows that entrepreneurship by needs (for money) in Brazil
is low.
The
highest level of startup entrepreneurships in Brazil are concentrated in
University educated males aged between 25 to 34 and with an income ranging from
6 to 9 times the national minimum wage (GEM, 2012). Given that the highest
levels of entrepreneurship can be found amongst University educated Brazilians
we describe the role of universities in Brazil as well as their contribution to
society and the country (SEBRAE, 2012).
3. UNIVERSITIES IN BRAZIL
In
the past decades, Brazilian universities focused mainly on passing on knowledge
rather than the analysis of the subject matter. Graduation was the be all and
end all. With the advent of the so-called knowledge society, Brazilian
universities are being tasked to be more entrepreneurial and innovative, and
therefore becoming the main player in the economic and social development of
the country (ANPROTEC, 2013). Over 6.3 million students are currently attending
higher education in Brazil demonstrating a staggering increase of 110 % in the
last decade (ANDIFES, 2013).
According
to ANDIFES (2013), universities in Brazil are responsible for stimulating the
creation of scientific-technological knowledge and innovation, thus raising the
national standards, bringing modernization and progress. Universities therefore
take on a leading role in making changes in its society increasing the
country's competitiveness. According to Lamana and Kovaleski (2008), Brazilian
universities are responsible for 59% of the country’s patents which underlines
the importance of academic knowledge transfer for the economic development of
the country. We can state that the inclusion of Brazil in the world’s economic
stage depends fundamentally on its innovative capacity forged by universities.
Brazilian
universities have been contributing to the country’s economic development in
several ways. We can quote some examples of research work that have reached
national and international press: development of the first national fiber
optics (1979), Genoma Project (2000), Ethanol Genetic Sequence (2009). Other
contributions are related to research about energy use and its alternatives;
environmental management; solution in information technology; solution in
health such as prevention and cure of diseases (UNICAMP, 2013).
3.1
University of Santa Cruz do
Sul
The
University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) is situated in Santa Cruz do Sul being
one of the engines boosting the municipality’s socioeconomic development and
qualifying the workforce for regional labor market.
According
to UNISC (2010), it is a regional university working for its community and
producing knowledge and excellence, committed to humanity freedom and to
promoting regional development thereby meeting their social, cultural,
educational, scientific and technological needs.
The
university comprises upwards of 11 thousand students, totaling 46 undergraduate
courses, 37 specializations, 8 master’s degree courses and 2 PhD courses. Its
staff consists of 578 professors, of which about 80% hold a master’s degree or
PhD.
Being
essentially a community college and considering the current economic situation
in the Vale do Rio Pardo region, UNISC is strongly linked to business
diversification in a region dominated by tobacco. It also plays an important
part in existing commercial and services businesses.
UNISC
is an university with intense academic production and by fostering
entrepreneurship it is turning Santa Cruz do Sul into a technology hub. A
partnership between UNISC and Ministry of Agricultural Development (MDA) has
been promoting sunflower crop as an alternative to tobacco. Sunflower crop may
be used for producing fuel for tractors and vehicles, being also an alternative
source of energy (MULLER, 2009).
In
a partnership between UNISC, the Council for Regional Development and Science
and the State Department for Technology, many projects have been developed at
the Technology Modernization Hub (TMP) in areas such as food, the environment,
materials and information technology. TMP contributes to the development of
Santa Cruz do Sul and region by developing scientific and technologic projects.
An example of these is ripe seed crop which is turned into biodiesel and animal
food (MULLER, 2009).
The
undergraduate courses offered by the university include licentiate degrees,
engineering college and computer science. All these courses are extremely
important for the region and for Brazil, seeing that the IT area is now
experiencing strong expansion initiatives throughout the country.
According to a survey requested by
the Brazilian Association of Technology and Communication Companies – BRASSCOM,
in 10 years, Brazil could become the third largest global TIC market (EPOCA,
2013).
For
this to materialize, the Brazilian government intends to make huge investments
during the period. Through the Major IT program, some R$ 500 million are to be
invested by 2015, specifically in strategic areas; mobility, supercomputing,
aerospace, cloud computing, cybernetic defense, education, healthcare,
petroleum and gas, finances, energy, agriculture, free software, sports events
and mining operations (INFO, 2013).
Investments
in this field and the rising IT market provide strong growth of startups,
mainly in technological incubators.
4. STARTUPS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INCUBATORS
According
to the Brazilian Association of Startups (ABSTARTUPS,2013), a startup can be
defined as a company that is deeply based on technology, deals with innovative
elements, under uncertain market conditions, and resorts to a scaling and
repeatable business model.
A technology-based company,
according to Junior (2012), comprises the following:
·
Human capital possesses a high degree of technological
knowledge;
·
Is involved in research and development;
·
Possesses innovative products and services, or
imprints new characteristics to
existing products;
·
Its products have a short life cycle, due to the
dynamism of innovation they carry;
·
The highest costs of the product derive from the
technologies and techniques used, and not specifically from the raw material
they are manufactured of.
An
incubator may be defined as an entity that provides entrepreneurs with the
necessary technical support for the development of innovative ideas,
transforming them into enterprises. To this end, it offers capacity building
opportunities, management support, infrastructure, as well as guidance and
commercial, financial, juridical, administrative services, among others, that
are considered in the development of a company (ANPROTEC, 2012). According to
branstad (2010), incubators offer a conducive space for developing business and
transferring innovative technological knowledge to new enterprises, thereby
strengthening business environment, industrial restructuring and jobs
opportunities.
In
a study conducted by the National Association of Entities that Promote
Innovative Enterprises (ANPROTEC, 2012) and the Ministry of Science, Technology
and Innovation (MCTI), in 2011, Brazil had a total of 384 incubators in
operation, which sheltered about 2,640 companies, generating a total of almost
17,000 jobs. Moreover, about 2,500 companies graduated from these incubators
which, in 2011, raked in approximately R$ 4 billion and employed some 30,000
people (ANPROTEC, 2012). The Figure 1 features the segments where the Brazilian
incubators operate.
Figure 1: Areas where Brazilian incubators operate.
Source: ANPROTEC, 2012.
4.1
The role of Universities and its Incubators in fostering
entrepreneurship
Knowledge
plays a key part in the new economic speculation unfolding creative ideas and
innovation. The matter university-company is one of the most important issues
faced by Brazilian universities and across the world.
Within
this context many developed economies are increasingly augmenting knowledge
transfer between Universities and industries aiming at offering real benefits
to its societies. Such increase is measured by variables such as volume of
funds associated with academic research and patents from universities (ROSSI,
2010). The same author reports that funding for industrial Research and
Development (R&D) is decreasing whilst R&D in companies is being outsourced
to universities. This reinforces their role in propelling economic development.
A
study carried out by the author (ROSSI, 2010) reveals that companies in the
United Kingdom, which are constantly innovating so as to increase their value
in fast moving markets, are more likely to work alongside universities.
Organizations aiming at innovation must forge an open relationship with
universities, attracting new talents and forming partnerships so as to succeed
in the increasingly competitive global market (BUGANZA; VERGANTI, 2009).
Zampieri
et al. (2011) reveal that universities whilst knowledge producers have become
more relevant to society given that knowledge is considered today the main
input to economic development and new technologies. In this context, Sampaio,
Nascimento and Carneiro (2005) emphasize that universities play a restructuring
role in society whilst spreading knowledge and turning ideas into businesses.
This is vital for stimulating the creation of new enterprises, for innovation
and for long term economic growth, thus creating job opportunities and revenue.
Universities
enable entrepreneurs’ access by fostering entrepreneurship through its
incubators. Business people are encouraged by these incubators to developing
and setting up new enterprises in the market.
Sampaio,
Nascimento and Carneiro (2005) believe that universities and its incubators not
only encourage their students into developing innovative projects, transforming
ideas into business but it also contributes to reducing death rates of employer
enterprises. It promotes the development of small companies, which play an
important part in least diversified economies by creating jobs and generating
income and therefore improving the local economy. Statistics show that the
death rate of incubated companies decreased from 70% to 20% when compared to
enterprises that did not experience the incubation process (BRASIL, 2013).
We
point out the following three incubators based on bibliographic research about
partnerships between universities and companies and their role:
·
Technological Incubator of Santa Maria (TISM): based
at Federal University of Santa Maria - RS, according to Zampieri et al. (2011)
was created to promote the development of Santa Maria and central region of Rio
Grande do Sul state through the link between university and company, bringing
benefits to the local market via knowledge transfer and innovation. Its
incubation process has benefitted companies in agronomy consultancy;
environmental management, information technology solutions amongst others
(UFSM, 2013).
·
RAIAR Incubator: based at PUC University – RS it
encourages innovating and entrepreneurial work turning ideas into businesses by
promoting innovation and research. It aims at forging partnerships between
researchers and companies to promote knowledge production, business network and
training young entrepreneurs. Examples include companies in solar thermal
energy field; software and hardware solution at industrial level; energy use,
amongst others (PUC, 2013).
·
Incamp Incubator: based at Campinas Regional
University - SP it seeks partnership opportunities for universities and
companies fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. It lends support to
entrepreneurs in developing innovative technologies, benefiting its society.
Such contribution is becoming increasingly more significant for the country's
innovative capacity. There are incubated companies in information technology;
sewage treatment, solar energy and other areas (UNICAMP, 2013).
Based
on the important part that universities play in knowledge transfer, as well as
promoting new markets and technologies, fostering entrepreneurships and
boosting the economy via their collaborative work and incubators, we describe
the role of UNISC's Technological Incubator (ITUNISC) as being the driving
force for regional development.
4.2
UNISC´s Technological Incubator
The
goal of UNISC’s Technological Incubator (ITUNISC), based in the city of Santa
Cruz do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, is to create new businesses, whilst
lending support to enterprises. To this end, the Incubator offers training,
consultancy, support to the creation of projects to be forwarded to fostering
organs, and physical space for the establishment of companies (UNISC, 2013).
Companies
incubated at ITUNISC can also take advantage of advisory programs through
partnerships with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service
(Sebrae), ACI (Commercial and Industrial Association), ANPROTEC (National
Association of Entities that Promote Technological Parks), just to mention a
few business support organs (UNISC, 2013).
The
benefits derived from the use of the structure offered by ITUNISC include the
following:
·
There is a reduction in costs and risks of the
innovation process;
·
It creates strategic alliances, and facilitates access
to the market;
·
Generation of jobs and income for the municipality,
besides promoting technological development;
·
A reduction in the mortality rate of micro and small
companies;
·
It lends support to a new development policy for the
region.
Currently,
UNISC’s Technological Incubator comprises seven incubated companies. Of these
now incubated companies, five operate in information and communication
technology, and two in other areas. Table 1, below, features the companies and
their main products.
Table 1.
Companies Incubated at ITUNISC
Area |
Major Product |
Graduated or Incubated |
Information Technology |
Solutions for Internet |
Graduated |
Information Technology |
Solutions for data integration |
Graduated |
Information Technology |
Applications for mobile devices |
Graduated |
Information Technology |
Solutions for Internet |
Graduated |
Information Technology |
Development of electronic games |
Graduated |
Information Technology |
Traceability and livestock certification |
Incubated |
Information Technology |
Integrated logistics management |
Incubated |
Textiles |
Shoe repair and customization |
Incubated |
Lighting |
Production of LED based lamps |
Incubated |
Information Technology |
Software quality and tests |
Incubated |
Information Technology |
Traceability for meat production |
Incubated |
Information Technology |
Data recovery |
Incubated |
Source: UNISC, 2013.
Besides
the above mentioned partnerships, ITUNISC also counts on support from the
Technology Transference and Innovation Nucleus, the NITT. The Technology
Transference and Innovation Nucleus is the sector responsible for the
Administration of the Institutional Policy for the Protection of Knowledge and
Technology Transference, and is constantly involved with the dissemination and
implementation of policies geared towards scientific and technological
innovations developed at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), providing
for incentive to the protection of creations, licenses, innovations, among
others.
As an
activity to be conducted at the technological park, can be cited the support to
the prospection of possible partners in the entrepreneurial sector and the
negotiation of partners among the agents of UNISC’s productive sector, for the
purpose of technology development and transference (UNISC, 2013). Through the
NITT, the startup will count on the necessary support for the protection of
technology to be studied and developed. Another partner is the Rio Pardo Valley
Technology Modernization Hub.
The
PMTVP has contributed towards the modernization of the region’s productive
activities through the interaction of research activities, extension services
and services rendered to the University, ensuring competitiveness, through an
uninterrupted flow of technological innovations, particularly in the area of
Food, the Environment, Materials and Technology Information. This work is the
result of joint efforts from the University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Regional
Development Council, and other regional community institutions, and supported
by the Rio Grande do Sul State Government, especially by the Secretariat of
Science and technology and the Rio Grande do Sul Research Support Foundation
(UNISC, 2013).
The
role played by ITUNISC through its works and partnerships contributes to
regional diversification. This diversification is highly important for Santa
Cruz do Sul and most of the country’s southern regions that are greatly
dependent on the tobacco and cigarette market both nationally and across the
world, relying on multinational companies that dominate this productive field.
This economic dependence brings uncertainty and insecurity over future regional
development.
IT
has become urgent and necessary to promote actual work that articulate social
segments of regional society and the government distinct spheres, seeking
diversification for the productive chain and expanding work opportunities and
income. In this context, we can point out the importance of ITUNISC in lending
support and advice to the formation of micro and small businesses, thus
promoting economic development, increasing revenue and creating new job
opportunities, and therefore reducing local economy dependency on tobacco
(UNISC, 2013). ITUNISC promotes a less dependent economy through its support
and partnerships, allowing ideas to become new businesses, which in turn will
create new demands and meet needs, generating new jobs and diversifying the
local economy.
So
far ITUNISC has had eight companies that have graduated, working at: solutions
for internet where we can highlight the creation of the first Brazilian
franchisor for this type of solution; advanced solutions for data integration;
solutions for customized development of applications for mobile devices;
electronic games development; software development for recovering lost data in
hard disks and others; livestock traceability and certification; tools for
processes management; integrated logistics management systems; LED lights
development; amongst other graduate companies. The creation of these companies
supported by ITUNISC has therefore enabled them to enter the market providing
regional diversification and creating around 30 new jobs (UNISC, 2013). The
incubation process for new enterprises at ITUNISC presents the following
stages: pre-incubation, internal incubation and external incubation.
4.2.1 Incubation Stages
The
pre-incubation stage comprises the structure and the idealization of the
enterprise, while it is not yet operating in the market. During this stage,
entrepreneurs have at their disposal technical consultancies specialized in the
areas they have opted for, besides consultancy services in management,
administrative and accounts areas. They can also take advantage of UNISC’s
structure for planning meetings, and they have access to the research labs and
learning facilities of the university.
To
take part in the external incubation, the entrepreneurs need to come up with a
pre-business plan, which does not require the level of detail of a definitive
business plan but must contain sufficient information for the evaluation board
to get a good knowledge of products and services the startup intends to develop
and the manner it wishes to operate in the market.
The
pre-incubation stage lasts for a maximum of six weeks. During this period, the
incubated company concludes the maturation of the business, evaluating the
competitors and defining its main products, production planning and the tools
to be used, among other details to be taken into consideration. During this
stage, the pre-incubated company does not use the incubator’s physical space.
At
the end of the pre-incubation stage, its partners may take the company to
incubation, where there are two options: internal or external incubation.
During
the internal incubation time, the company conducts the implementation of the
business plan which was worked out during the pre-incubation stage, using for
this purpose the infrastructure provided by ITUNISC, like physical space,
electric energy, access to the internet, consultancy rooms, training, meeting
rooms, audiovisual equipment, publicity services, among others. Maximum period
for internal incubation is 24 months, with chances for a 12-month renewal.
External
incubation is very similar to internal incubation, but in the first case the
incubated company is not allowed to take advantage of the physical space that
is offered by ITUNISC. Therefore, the externally incubated company operates in
a space of its own.
5. PRE-INCUBATION STUDY CASE OF A STARTUP
In
this topic, the focus is on the stages performed in order to direct the
pre-incubation stage of a startup to UNISC’s Technological Incubator.
5.1
Idealization of the startup
The
motivation to create the startup surfaced during the undergraduate course of
the partners, both with a degree in computer science from the University of
Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC). The formalization of all major products and the
development of the business plan were effectively conducted during the master’s
degree course, again by the two partners.
These
products and solutions were based on projects developed in class, as well as in
undergraduate course conclusion works and master’s degree dissertation
projects. These products were modulated with an eye towards potential market
niches poised to be explored in Brazil and in the global scenario.
To
this end, advanced computer techniques are to be used, like image processing,
voice processing, embedded systems and software directed towards handheld
devices. Through the definition of these techniques to be utilized in product
development, was distinguished the startup from the companies that commonly
focuses on systems for small and medium scale entrepreneurial administration,
commercial automation and the development of web-sites and blogs. Moreover,
through the definition of these technologies to be utilized in the productive
process of the startup, it can be possible guide the companies toward very
specific market niches.
Another
important topic about the products to be developed by the startups is that they
do not have any qualification that makes them eligible for being inserted into
some type of automation that could reduce the number of people employed. The
products projected up to that time are only aimed at exploring new chances of
business representations, as well as new manners of executing services
utilizing technology as an intermediate element, especially in social areas
where computation is used in multidisciplinary topics.
The
use of complex computation techniques and technologies was also defined with
the aim to qualify the startup to act as partner for all other companies that
might wish to utilize services for research and development of products and
solutions.
It
is also important to mention the existence of entrepreneurship disciplines in
the undergraduate course. Specifically at UNISC’s Computer Science course, the
Entrepreneurship Computer Science discipline is offered in the 10th semester,
when the students begin to learn about concepts and experiences in business
modeling, where the evaluation work consists in the development of an imaginary
business plan in the IT area.
To
obtain the necessary qualification to take part in the evaluation board of
UNISC’s Technological Incubator, some steps were followed, and they are
detailed below.
5.2
Application steps for
proposing the creation of a startup
First
of all, there was a need for coming up with a pre-business plan. In this
pre-plan, the partners of the company had to describe some topics requested by
UNISC’s Technological Incubator for the evaluators to learn about the business
and get a grasp of the potential chances of the startup to explore the market.
For
elaborating the pre-business plan, the knowledge acquired in the discipline
Entrepreneurship in Computer Science was utilized, greatly facilitating the
written words and the ideas about the startup. Once the pre-business plan had
materialized, there was a need to collect some identification documents of the
partners, their curricula, and the collection of the enrolment fee. Afterwards,
the necessary documentation was forwarded and an evaluation board was put on
the agenda.
The
final step in the process of forwarding the proposal for the startup was the
evaluation board. According to UNISC (2013), the evaluation step consists,
basically, in verifying if the proposed enterprise achieves the following
topics:
·
Viability of the enterprise (technical, economic and
marketwise);
·
Managerial and technical capacity of the
entrepreneurs;
·
Content in the enterprise (managerial, technological
and innovative);
·
Possibility of interacting with UNISC’s activities;
·
Technical team of the company;
·
Respect to timeframes and participation manners;
·
Adjustment and compliance with ITUNISC’s Objectives.
The
evaluation board, or the Technical Selection Committee, was composed of
representatives of the following organs: UNISC, municipality of Santa Cruz
doSul, entrepreneurial associations, entrepreneur support entities and ITUNISC
guests. All major products and services to be developed, idealized by the
partners, were presented to this committee. By unanimity, the board identified
that the products in question had a huge market exploration potential, giving
their approval to the pre-incubation of the startup.
At
this moment, its partners are engaged in a deep study of the market, its
potential clients, competitors, and production planning. Soon, they will take
courses offered by ITUNISC for enhancing their business administration
capacity, as well as contact with consultancies for company design and
maturation.
6. CONCLUSION
Nowadays,
subjects related to entrepreneurship, innovation, universities’ role and its
incubators as the driving force to economic development have been highly
regarded in the world’s economic stage, even featuring as a differential in
economic competitiveness. Therefore, we note that Brazil has evolved immensely
presenting an unrivalled growth in entrepreneurship (FAAP, 2013).
Brazilian
universities have been working hard with regards to knowledge transfer. They
have been developing solution-based projects using innovative technology
benefiting the society. These projects have been distinguished nationally and
internationally. Entrepreneurial culture is highly valued by Brazilian
universities through its incubators, transforming ideas into businesses.
This
knowledge production and transfer by universities through partnerships between
companies and incubators has strengthened our country’s economy. New jobs have
been created by supporting new enterprises; better income distribution;
competitiveness has increased both nationally and internationally and stimulus
to innovation. Therefore Brazilian universities have strengthened themselves as
the driving force of the socioeconomic progress.
In
this context, the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) and its Technological
Incubator (ITUNISC) have been exemplary and instrumental in turning Santa Cruz
and its region into a technological hub. Continuing on the same subject, UNISC
is planning the launch a Technological Park: TechnoUnisc. It is under
construction and it will provide an environment for production and technology
management. The new park will also be a conductive place to develop
technology-based enterprises, innovative and entrepreneurial businesses.
7. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research was supported by the UNISC (FAP and IC). Also, the authors thank the CAPES agency
for the support in the survey.
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