Social Capital from Incubators as Strategic Resources for Startups: A Multiple Case Study in North Karnataka Region

Abstract

Start-ups are essentially entrepreneurial ventures with intent to grow into large successful enterprises. A significant percentage of the start-up ventures fail in their evolution process as they face unique growth and resources-related challenges which require innovative responses. Entrepreneurs often make up for the lack of resources by leveraging their contacts and networks embedded in their social context. Incubators are emerging as a critical constituent of the social context for start-ups in the contemporary times and they have proven effective in increasing the survival chances of start-ups in decisive ways. Present research essentially focuses on exploring the role of incubators in survival and growth of start-ups and also identifies the various benefits which start-ups get through the support of incubators.