Case studies

Incubating the Incubators: Pioneering Innovation Ecosystems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Industry: Innovation ecosystems, business incubators, technology parks

Period covered: 2002 - 2014

Published:   2003 - 2014

Organization:   World Bank, UN

  • Introduction

    Introduction: From 2002 to 2015, I was deeply involved with innovation ecosystem development in Eastern European and Central Asia. This experience journey started as a United Nations Volunteer. For two years starting in 2002, I was expert for small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development with SODBI Business Incubator in Shymkent, South Kazakhstan.


    The journey continued with business incubator development projects in Georgia and Uzbekistan. Starting 2006, I was in charge of facilitating the innovation ecosystem and business incubator development activities of The World Bank's infoDev (Information for Development) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This activity included the facilitation of networking and peer-to-peer learning among incubator and technopark managers in the region, as well program development, incubator support and impact measurement.


    In the following you will find selected insights into the dynamics of business incubation development during the period of 2002 to 2014.


Year of publication: 2004


Language: German


Case study on my experiences with innovation ecosystem development at SODBI Business Incubator in South Kazakhstan from 2002 to 2004.


(Might be) relevant for policy-makers, innovation ecosystem planners and managers, business incubation and technology park program planners and managers and all, who are interested in economic and social development in transition and emerging economies.

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Year of publication: 2009


Lessons learned from business incubator development in the Eastern European and Central Asian region from 2002 - 2007.


Presented and discussed at the VIII World Bank Knowledge Economy Forum 2009 in Fontainebleau, France.


(Might be) relevant for policy-makers, innovation ecosystem planners and managers, business incubation and technology park program planners and managers and all, who are interested in economic and social development in transition and emerging economies.

Download presentation (pdf) Download KEF proceedings (pdf)

Year of publication: 2014


By 2014, little research has been done at the national or regional level with regard to the long-term return on (public) investment in publicly funded or co-funded business incubation. This assessment aimed to provide further insights on the outcomes of business incubation for the enterprises directly served by the incubators, as well as for the broader socio-economic environment the business incubators operate in.


(Might be) relevant for policy-makers, innovation ecosystem planners and managers, business incubation and technology park program planners and managers and all, who are interested in economic and social development in transition and emerging economies.

Download from World Bank website