IBM / Integra
Business Incubator Initiatives in the Caribbean Region
November 26, 2007
By Roshan Seebaluck
Team Leader Business Incubation Expert
IBM /Integra
IBM / Integra
Agenda
European Union – SFA 20051
3 Regional Management Office
4 SFA Components
5
6
Business Incubator Components – 3 islands
7
Opportunities and Challenges
Network Support & Regional Coordination
2 Technology Innovation Center (Jamaica)
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EU – SFA 2005
Study in 2006 (EU Funded) - Supporting Innovation & New Business Creation: Business Incubation in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent - Sustainability Through Ownership and Self-Determination (Supported from InfoDev)
European Union Special Framework Assistance (SFA) 2005.
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EU – SFA 2005
Objective
To support the governments of the three islands – Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines (Eastern Caribbean Region) to implement their national SFA 2005 programmes in order to foster economic diversification. (Agriculture to ICT Sector.
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Start-up phase :-Establish the Regional Management Office (RMO) offices in St Vincent and Dominica (March 2007)Visited all three islands and Barbados as well; Establish the project in all three islands; andEstablish contact with stakeholders involved in the implementation and co-ordination of the project and lay down the foundation of the Regional Management Office
Project life – 3 years (2007-2010)Total Project cost > 10 million Euros
EU – SFA 2005
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1. CoherenceEnsure regional coherence and consistency in areas such as thelegislative an regulatory framework and the regional accreditation oftraining qualifications.2. Critical MassSome programme activities such as business incubators will need to be established as part of an overall regional network in order to be sustainable. 3. Economies of Scale
Ensure the cost-saving and efficiency from economies of scale by managing and administering the programmes centrally. 4. Lesson LearningProvide an opportunity for individual countries to share and learn and experience and best practice regionally in the synergistic programme areas. 5. Technical Assistance to NAOs Assist in implementation of the SFA 2005 programmes.
EU – SFA 2005 - Objectives
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EU – SFA 2005Approach - Key Principles
Participation, Interaction and Dialogue of all related groups and stakeholders to broaden perceptions and to deepen analysis of concerns and understanding of interconnected issues.
Active involvement of the counterparts and consequent delegation of responsibilities to the beneficiary and the target groups to ensure sustainability of capacity building and strategic planning
Building synergistic co-operation between the relevant key players involved, as well as with other relevant projects and donors, such as SFA 2004, infoDev, STABEX etc.
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Technology Innovation Center
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INCUBATOR MODEL
For ProfitOn-site tenantsAnchor tenantsVirtual tenantsTechnology Oriented Incubator
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Facilities
25 Office Suites & 4 Manufacturing BaysStand By GeneratorConference & Meeting RoomsCard access Control and CCTV systems Computer laboratory Integrated voice/data network
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Status of Incubatees
STATUS OF INCUBATEES
In Business85%
Not in Business
15%
In Business
Not in Business
Still in Business 17Not In- Business 3
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Three main functions of the RMO (IBM Belgium / Integra)
1)Support and assistance to individual country level project initiatives;
2) Regional coordination; and 3) Short-term demand-driven Technical Assistance
to the National Authorising Officer (NAO) and implementing agency.
Regional Management Office (RMO)
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7
6
5
4
3
2
1
No
√√√Networking and experience-sharing
(RMO)
√ (PE)√ (PE)Business-oriented e-government Initiatives
√(PE)√
Service Service contractcontract
√ (PE)Legislative and Regulatory Framework
√
Construction and establishment of a national ICT training and incubator Facility (work and supplies (work and supplies
contract)contract)
√ (PE)√ (PE)Capacity-building
√ServiceServicecontractcontract
√Service Service contractcontract
√Grant Grant
ContractContract
Business skills development ande-business incubators
√(PE)
√(PE)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), e-Business Strategy, Leadership and Awareness Development
St Vincent & GrenadinesGrenadaDominicaComponents
SFA 2005 - Components
* PE – Programme Estimates
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4
3
2
1
No
√√√
The Business Gateways and business associations develop high-quality support services, which are used by local businesses to develop more effective businesses processes.
√√√A Regional Network of E-Business Incubator Centres is established in the Windward Islands region.
√√√
A network of four community resource centres works closely with the National E-Business Incubator Centre to deliver high-quality services to business users within their primary market areas.
√√√A National E-Business Incubator Centre is established, which provides high-quality ICT and business services
St Vincent & GrenadinesGrenadaDominicaComponents
Business skills development and e-business incubators
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7
6
5
No
√√√
Support to a number of small businesses with high-quality ICT investment proposals are made by the Business Gateway to a number of small businesses each year, which enable them to develop and succeed in generating employment, revenue and new markets.
√√√
The Business Gateways and business associations develop appropriate Internet-based joint-marketing initiatives which extend markets and market opportunities for local businesses. (SFA 2004)
√√√
Businesses, particularly SMEs and businesses established by entrepreneurs currently or formerly dependent on banana production, improve their business performance and competitiveness and develop new services and markets through the use of ICTs and e-business skills.
St Vincent & GrenadinesGrenadaDominicaComponents
Business skills development and e-business incubators
IBM / Integra
9
8
No
√
Construction and establishment of a national ICT training and incubator Facility ( to house Centre for Enterprise Development, National Innovation Training Institute, Incubator Centre
√√√
A growing ICT services sector provides high-quality ICT services to businesses within Dominica and makes a contribution to employment, exports and economic diversification.
St Vincent & GrenadinesGrenadaDominicaComponents
Business skills development and e-business incubators
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Project Management and supervision
Regional Management
Office
Regional Steering Committee
(inter-island)
National Steering
Committee(Grenada)
National Steering Committee
(St Vincent and the Grenadines)
National Steering
Committee(Dominica)
Multi-Stakeholder
Forum(Dominica)
Multi-Stakeholder
Forum(Grenada)
Multi-Stakeholder Forum
(St Vincent and the Grenadines)
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Opportunities
Create new opportunities for potential entrepreneurs using ICT & ITES
Create a new mindset & entrepreneurial culture based on knowledge
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Challenges
Entrepreneurship Culture is weak
Small open economies
Limited skilled labour
Mass Migration.
Limited resources.
Dependency on single crop. (Bananas, Nutmeg, etc.)
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Incubator Centre – General Model
InfrastructureOffice SpaceInternet AccessElectricityAir-conditioningFurnished OfficeMeeting Room
Incubator Centre
LogisticsCommon FacilitiesShared Administration ServiceTelephone, Fax PhotocopyingCleaning amongst others
Business SupportCounsellingAdvisory servicesMarketingNetworking activities
Based on a rent model
Virtual Incubator
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Non-Equity Model
Non Non ––EquityEquity
11
44
22
33
55
Incubator Management
Team
Promotion Activities to attract start-ups &
creation of a critical mass of entrepreneurs
PricingPolicy, Additional
Services
Sustainability through grant
Organisation Structure –Incubator Board Based on
a rent model
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Network Support & Regional Coordination
Regional Coordination & Networking events
Intranet to share information
Specific characteristics of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Participation in Regional and sub regional events
Creation of a Caribbean Incubator Association including Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) Jamaica
Network with InfoDev and various counterparts
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Caribbean Business Incubation Association
Proposal to set up an Caribbean Business Incubation Association (CBIA)
Mission
To promote and foster business incubation in the Caribbean states..
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AIM - CBIA
1) To promote business incubation, and, to work towards the advancement of the business incubation industry in the Caribbean Regions
2) To drive & guide the development of business incubators by providing :-
i. Toolsii. Capacity building programmeiii. Networks
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TASKS - CBIA
1) Policy, Regulatory & Advocacya) Facilitate institutional and political dialogueb) Collaborate with policy makers and stakeholders to set
National Incubation policyc) Protect the rights of incubators and establish support structured) Lobby the interest of incubators / incubates
2) Networking & Events4) Training & Marketing (Group)5) Research on BI6) Good Practices on Business Incubation7) Development of Business Incubators
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TASKS – CBIA (Contd..)
8) Ongoing assessment and evaluation of business incubators
9) Membership
10)National Incubator Awards (recognition)
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Expected Impact 1) Micro Level – Impact on Business Community
and creation of start-ups
2) Meso Level a) Synergies across sectors (vertical and horizontal)b) Promote Entrepreneurship in a concerted manner
3) Macro Level a) Business Incubation as a PPP model (both Private and Public)b) Advocacy tool for policy makersc) Effective utilisation of resources
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Eco-System for Business Incubation1) Develop programs to promote entrepreneurship and
creation of an entrepreneurship culture (incl Educational institutions, community level..)
2) Synergies b/w different institutions3) Incentives to setup & promote Business Incubators
(incl Fiscal/Tax incentives, Technical Assistance programs)4) Public & Private sector participation (PPP)5) Government Policy on Business Incubation and
Institutional Framework National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)program;Caribbean Business Incubation Association (CBIA); World Bank – InfoDev; RedLAC ; Relapi.
6) Support and long term commitment from a network of Leaders, Officials, Businesses and Universities
7) Availability of and access to Capital