The role of incubators and accelerators in the Latin American entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems

Chapter 19 highlights the diversity in incubation mechanisms used in the region. This diversity is manifested in the form of public, private, partnerships with mixed organizational structures to support the creation and development of entrepreneurial initiatives, over the past several decades. Prior literature on incubation has predominantly paid attention to the North American and Western European experience with little or no mention of the developing economy contexts (e.g., Latin America, Asia, and Africa). Inspired by the academic discussion, this chapter aims to discuss the role of incubators & accelerators in the Latin-American entrepreneurial ecosystems. The author identifies several developmental patterns as well as discusses new challenges faced by the incubation industry. Several implications for academics, university managers, and policymakers emerge from these findings.