Background / Terms of Reference
On this page: China | India | Indonesia | Mongolia | Nepal | Philippines | Sri Lanka | Thailand | Vietnam
China
Grantee: Tianjin Women Business Incubator (TWBI) and Yangling Business Incubator Centre (YBIC)
Grant: Operational Grant. US$ 500,000
Contact: Ms. Wang Yan, Manager, Enterprise Development Department, TWBI, and Zhang QiDong, Director, YBIC
Email: tjwbi@public.tpt.tj.cn, zhangqidong@yahoo.com
The Tianjin Women’s Business Incubator (TWBI) is based in Tianjin, China’s third largest city. TWBI is a non-profit organization focused on assisting female entrepreneurs, and fostering growth in the employment of women made redundant by economic reform and restructuring.
Established in 2000, TWBI is China’s only women focused business incubator. TWBI was established with the financial assistance of the Tianjin Municipal Government, the Tianjin Women’s Federation, and other local government authorities. The incubator received early technical assistance in the form of business planning consultancies, and training from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Consultants from Australia and the United States (US) also guided the establishment and development of TWBI. Incubator managers from TWBI traveled abroad extensively to learn from other incubators, and drew extensively on the National Business Incubator Association website for information. TWBI currently has a building area of 5,000 square meters with 48 on-site tenants and 10 off-site tenants.
To date, four companies have graduated. Directly, and indirectly, TWBI is responsible for providing employment opportunities for an estimated 2,000 people, which may be more than the opportunities generated by comparable incubators in the developed world. TWBI offers clients start-up assistance, business training, and assistance to graduates. TWBI also facilitates an on-site micro credit program, which received seed funding from UNDP, and the Tianjin authorities. Operating at full capacity, TWBI has managed to develop near financial self-sufficiency by charging for office rent, business services and external training courses. TWBI has become "famous" in China, and is a destination for study tours from other incubators and potential incubators in the country.
The Yangling Business Incubator Centre (YBIC) is based in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, and is managed by the Yangling Agricultural High Tech Industries Demonstration Zone, and the Torch Centre of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). Established in 1998, YBIC specializes in agriculture, animal husbandry, and bio-technology commercialization within SMEs. YBIC has received most of its investment from China’s MOST Torch Program, and the local Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Bureau. Both of these programs fund high-tech research and development (R&D) and technology commercialization projects. YBIC currently has four centers with a total building area of 30,000 square meters; all with broadband access. YBIC's buildings serve 56 on-site tenants and 40 off-site tenants. To date, YBIC has graduated 15 companies in total; six in 2004. YBIC developed with guidance from the government (MOST) and through knowledge gained from study tours to existing incubators in China, Europe, and the US.
Grantee: Shanghai Technology Business Incubation Association (STBIA)
Grant: Capacity Building Grant, US$ 500,000
Contact: Wang Rong, Director, Shanghai Technology Innovation Center
Email: stic@stn.sh.cn
The Shanghai Technology Business Association (STBIA) is working in partnership with the Asian Association of Business Incubation (AABI), and AABI's international consulting team, to conduct a evaluation of the ICT and incubator management practices of STBIA member incubators. This evaluation will support the implementation of a larger program of activities that will lead to the institutional transformation of the network and its members. The infoDev funded work program identified current good practices, and areas in need of improvement. infoDev's grant also funded the implementation of training, procurement of technical experts and service providers to address STBIA's needs, and develop a framework for an on-going assessment of STBIA incubators. Further, infoDev's work program will include an evaluation of the ICT readiness and capacity of STBIA member incubators' clients and provision of training and activities to accelerate the success, marketability and sustainability of associated incubators. STBIA will share lessons learned from this project with other incubators, and their regional and national networks.
India
Grantee: IndiaCo.com Private, LTD
Grant amount: Operational Grant, US$ 400,000
Contact Name: Rahul Patwardhan, President and CEO
Email: rahul@indiaco.com
IndiaCo is a business and technology incubator, and start-up resource center with operations close to the innovation clusters in the Pune-Mumbai corridor. IndiaCo assists early stage companies by providing business infrastructure and office space, mentoring and coaching, and assistance in raising private equity capital. The goal is to increase the success rate of start-ups by operating a network that facilitates and motivates the use of local resources to commercialize available technologies. Member companies remain in the incubator for up to two years, and are expected to show progress by completing an approved business plan.
Grantee: Tiruchirappalli Regional Engineering College, Science & Technology Entrepreneurs
Park (TREC-STEP)
Grant Amount: Operational Grant. US $300,000
Contact: Mr. R. M. P. Jawahar, Executive Director
Email: jawa_ts@yahoo.com
Tiruchirappalli Regional Engineering College - Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (TREC-STEP), is the first science park to be promoted [NOTE: developed?] India since 1986. TREC-STEP aims to foster knowledge-based ventures comprised of young science and technology entrepreneurs. Key promoters of TREC-STEP include: the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu, Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI), Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), and state financial and development organizations, such as Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation. Other supporters include one of the premier educational institution in India -- the Regional Engineering College Tiruchirappalli, now renamed the National Institute of Technology. TREC-STEP is situated in 200,000 square meters of land between the Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, and is close to the industrial area that houses a nationally reputed SME Cluster of over 300 fabrication industries. The location provides a unique opportunity for TREC-STEP to promote knowledge-based ventures.
Grantee: Society for Research and Initiative for Sustainable Technologies and Resources
(SRISTI)
Grant: Capacity Building Grant, US$100,000
Contact: Professor Anil K. Gupta, KL Chair Professor of Entrepreneurship, IIM-A
Email: anilg@iimahd.ernet.in
The main objective of the project is to build and enhance an ICT-enabled virtual incubator model for scaling up grassroots innovations. The project aims to link grassroots innovators with investment and enterprise opportunities.
Grantee: Telecommunications and Computer Networks group (TeNeT), Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT), Chennai
Grant: Capacity Building Grant Grant Amount: $ 150,000
Contact: Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor, Dept of Electrical Engineering
Email: ashok@tenet.res.in
The expertise in the Telecommunications and Network Group (TeNeT) covers the entire spectrum, including: digital communications, wireless networks, computer protocols, optical communications, digital signal processing, speech, audio and video technologies, among others. In addition, there is a small group of experts in various areas, such as: rural finance, and small scale enterprises for rural areas. The TeNeT Group engages in teaching and training, product development, incubation of technology companies, telecommunications, IT policy studies, and front-line research. The infoDev funded work program will improve networking between organizations in India that are independently working on projects to bridge the digital divide, and help TeNeT conduct a comprehensive market research in rural areas that can be shared by several organizations. The work program will look into technologies and solutions that are relevant to rural areas in emerging markets, and focus on enhancing skill levels across implementing agencies through specially designed training.
Grantee: Vellore Institute Of Technology-Technology Business Incubator, (VITTBI)
Grant: Capacity Building Grant, US$ 150,000
Contact: Dr.P.Radhakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Vellore Institute Of Technology
Email: vc@vit.ac.in, vittbi@vit.ac.in, balac68@yahoo.com
The Vellore Institute Of Technology – Technology Business Incubator (VIT-TBI) was established at Vellore Institute of Technology with the sponsorship of the Government of India's Department of Science and Technology. VIT-TBI assists budding entrepreneurs with incubating new technology ventures. The infoDev funded work program will focus on developing the incubation capacity needed to enhance value-added services. VIT-TBI will accomplish this goal by raising awareness, reaching out to innovators, and increasing cooperation between national, regional and global actors. VIT-TBI aims to promote ICT-enabled business incubation as an effective engine for sustainable development.
Indonesia
Grantee: Broadband Network Service
Grant: Capacity Building Grant. US $200,000
Contact: Kurnia Tugiono, Chairman
Email: kurniat@bns.co.id
Broadband Network System (BNS) is a registered private enterprise founded in 2001 in Jakarta, Indonesia. In addition to office space, facilities include a broadband network servicing major cities on Sumatra, Java, Bali and the Lombok islands. BNS is a holding company consisting of several ICT companies with 13 cumulative years of experience as network system integrators, turn-key solution providers, broadband Internet service providers, Internet protocol (IP)-based multimedia operators, fiber and VSAT link providers and operators, and IP phone operators. Using the financial and technical resources from infoDev and the Indonesian government, BNS is consolidating its operations to provide quality, self-sustaining ICT services. BNS will focus on improving the efficiency, performance and outreach of its business incubation services by building, and more effectively using broadband-enabled ICT and e-service.
Mongolia
Grantee: InfoCon Company, Ltd
Grant: Planning Grant. US $100,000
Contact: Ms. Tsetseg-Ulzii Yadamsuren, Project Coordinator
Email: batpurev@infocon.mn
InfoCon's activities during the planning phase are designed to build a solid foundation for establishing a business incubator in Mongolia. The proposed New Path Incubation Center will be a joint initiative of the ongoing, highly productive relationship between InfoCon, the Mongolia Development Gateway and the Mongolian Academy of Science. The Mongolian Chamber of Commerce will also be involved, and the Ministry of Infrastructure will offer official recognition and support. In the medium term, the incubator will engage a number of partners from the private sector to strengthen the capacity and viability of the project.
Nepal
Grantee: Information Technology Professional Forum (ITPF), Nepal
Grant Amount: Planning Grant. US $100,000
Contact: Mr. Suresh Kumar Regmi, President
Email: skregmi@yahoo.com
Additional Website: http://www.incubation.org.np
The Information Technology Professional Forum (ITPF) has been awarded a grant for the planning phase of Business Incubation System in Nepal. ITPF works with the cooperation and support of stakeholders, such as the High Level Commission for Information Technology, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kathmandu Engineering College, Kathmandu University, and others. ITPF will conduct a needs assessment, in-depth research and analysis, and planning for the provision of business incubation services, which will all help promote business innovation and private sector development. ITPF's business incubation services focus on the integration, and use of ICT into the development of SMEs and small enterprises (SEs).
Philippines
Grantee: Ayala Foundation
Grant: Operational Grant. US $400,000
Contact: Victoria P. Garchitorena
Email: garchitorena.vp@ayala.com.ph
Additional website: http://www.upayalatechnopark.org.ph
The Ayala Technology Business Incubator (TBI) is part of the University of the Philippines (UP) Ayala Technology Park project. TBI aims to develop technology through ICT-based entrepreneurship. The incubator, established in 2001 at the UP Diliman Campus Science and Technology Park, Quezon City, is a non-profit organization. TBI encourages new enterprise start ups and business growth in: Internet technology, network technology, wire and wireless communication, data communication, digital signal processing, algorithm development, software design and development, among other areas. The objective of TBI is to promote government, academic and and private sector collaboration, and create more support for small and micro enterprise development in the Philippines.
Sri Lanka
Grantee: Sri Lanka Technology Incubator (Pvt.) Limited
Grant Amount: Operational Grant. US $300,000
Contact: Ms. Thusitha D.Pilapitiya, Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@ConceptNursery.com
The Sri Lanka Technology Incubator (SLTI) is an ICT technology incubator established in July 2000 in Colombo. SLTI is a small non-profit organization operating under the Concept Nursery Expansion Program. The goal of SLTI is to strengthen and encourage entrepreneurship, and stimulate the adoption of ICT in Sri Lanka. SLTI aims to grow and franchise Concept Nursery, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs throughout the country to establish and grow viable ICT-related ventures. SLTI is also focused on developing programs to assist SME enterprises to adopt and utilize ICT, technology entrepreneur programs for women, and distributing best practices in business incubation. The total building area of the ICT incubator is 325 square meters, housing 10 ICT-enabled software tenants employing 50 staff. There are also two off-site tenants, and three more are about to be launched. Twenty clients graduated between 2002 and 2005. The incubator provides financial assistance, and arranges regular forums and meetings involving venture capital investors and tenants. SLTI also helps develop tenants’ business plans, financial documentation, and undertakes due diligence.
Grantee: Intermediate Technology Development Group – South Asia
Grant Amount: Planning Grant. US $70,000
Contact: Mr. Jayantha Gunasekara, Technology Programme Leader
Email: Jayantha@itdg.slt.lk
Additional Website: http://www.rensrilanka.org
Intermediate Technology Development Group, South Asia (ITDG) helps eradicate poverty in developing countries by developing and using technology, sharing knowledge and demonstrating results. ITDG was established in England in 1966 by Dr. Fritz Schumacher, author of "Small is Beautiful." The organization has regional and country offices in Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Thailand
Grantee: Kenan Institute Asia (KIAsia)
Grant: Planning Grant. US $100,000
Contact: Paul Wedel, Executive Director
Email: kiasia@kiasia.org
Kenan Institute Asia (KIAsia), and the Vocational Education Commission, launched the KIAsia Business Incubator (KIAsia BI) in 2003. KIAsia BI assists aspiring entrepreneurs in Thailand, especially rural residents, who typically lack funds, and basic business know-how. KIAsia BI is focused on helping entrepreneurs realize their business ideas while expanding ICT utilization and the use of international business practices. KIAsia was established in 1996 with an endowment provided by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Royal Thai Government, the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, and the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust.
Grantee: National Science and Technology Development Agency of Thailand (NSTDA)
Grant: Capacity Building Grant, US$150,000
Contact: Dr. Janekrishna Kanatharana, Director, Thailand Science Park
Email: janekrishna@nstda.or.th
Additional Website: http://www.sciencepark.or.th
The main goal of the infoDev funded work program is to strengthen the Thai business incubation system through capacity building and networking activities. NSTDA expects that the infoDev work program will strengthen the anchor function it plays in the Mekong Region. NSTDA focuses on increasing collaboration with other incubator projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, and by transferring successfully tested components of the Thai project to the incubator projects in other countries.
Vietnam
Grantee: Center for Research and Consulting on Management
Grant: Planning Grant. US $50,000
Contact: Mr. Pham Minh Tuan
Email: crc@hut-fem.edu.vn
The Center for Research and Consulting on Management (CRC), an autonomous unit of Hanoi University of Technology (HUT), is the lead implementing institution for infoDev's work program in Vietnam. CRC was established in 2003 with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Asia Institute of Technology, and the Vietnam management development program. CRC activities include: consulting and applied research on management and economics, facilitating technology transfer, organizing seminars and short-term training courses, conducting market research and marketing services, and organizing business tours, among others.