Innovazione e imprese: il ruolo degli incubatori nello sviluppo territoriale

Business incubators support the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start up phase, when they are most vulnerable. The most common goals of business incubation pro- grams are contributing to the competitiveness of the local economy, creating jobs and enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, supporting SMEs with high growth potential, stimulating entrepreneurial spirit, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies. The paper analyses business incubators as drivers of innovation in the Campania region, particularly focusing on the case of a public incubator, “CSI Napoli Est”, who acts in a deprived area in the east part of Naples, examining its structure, aims, results and links with the local territory.