This book introduces concepts of business incubation and suggests a learning process. This process begins with prior knowledge at the opportunity identification phase, progresses through the acquisition of new skills and knowledge necessary to develop an opportunity and concludes with a transformation phase where new knowledge is acted upon. The book draws on extensive qualitative data and documentary evidence from a range of stakeholders associated with a University Business Incubator known as Innospace. The process of opportunity development within the business incubator is explored by combining experiential and social learning theories as heuristic tools. Presented implications for policy-makers and incubator managers are that attention and scarce resources should be focused on providing relevant information and encouraging an atmosphere of learning and mutual support. Recruitment practices should be revised to include a more holistic appreciation of potential incubatees contribution to the Business Incubation learning community as well as an assessment of their business plans. For policy makers the book suggests that successful business incubators do not necessarily require a large financial investment in state-of-the-art premises and technology. Appropriate management training together with carefully selected incubatees can create an effective learning community where opportunities are developed and transformed into enterprises and individuals into entrepreneurs.

Drawing on the most up-to-date and relevant research, this concise textbook is an accessible guide to harnessing the appropriate resources when launching a new start-up business. The focus is on the wide range of tangible and intangible resources available to entrepreneurs in the early stages of a new venture. This second edition brings in material on crowdfunding, digitalization and Covid-19, and dedicates new chapters to: lean start-ups and business models idea generation and opportunity development and business incubators and accelerators. The book supports students with learning objectives, a summary, discussion questions and a practical call to action in each chapter. A teaching guide and slides are also available for instructors. Resourcing the Start-up Business will be a valuable textbook for students of entrepreneurship and new venture creation globally.

Drawing on the most up-to-date and relevant research, this concise textbook is an accessible guide to harnessing the appropriate resources when launching a new start-up business. The focus is on the wide range of tangible and intangible resources available to entrepreneurs in the early stages of a new venture. This second edition brings in material on crowdfunding, digitalization and Covid-19, and dedicates new chapters to: lean start-ups and business models idea generation and opportunity development and business incubators and accelerators. The book supports students with learning objectives, a summary, discussion questions and a practical call to action in each chapter. A teaching guide and slides are also available for instructors. Resourcing the Start-up Business will be a valuable textbook for students of entrepreneurship and new venture creation globally.

This book introduces concepts of business incubation and suggests a learning process. This process begins with prior knowledge at the opportunity identification phase, progresses through the acquisition of new skills and knowledge necessary to develop an opportunity and concludes with a transformation phase where new knowledge is acted upon. The book draws on extensive qualitative data and documentary evidence from a range of stakeholders associated with a University Business Incubator known as Innospace. The process of opportunity development within the business incubator is explored by combining experiential and social learning theories as heuristic tools. Presented implications for policy-makers and incubator managers are that attention and scarce resources should be focused on providing relevant information and encouraging an atmosphere of learning and mutual support. Recruitment practices should be revised to include a more holistic appreciation of potential incubatees contribution to the Business Incubation learning community as well as an assessment of their business plans. For policy makers the book suggests that successful business incubators do not necessarily require a large financial investment in state-of-the-art premises and technology. Appropriate management training together with carefully selected incubatees can create an effective learning community where opportunities are developed and transformed into enterprises and individuals into entrepreneurs.