Categorizing Social Business Incubators in developing countries: evidence from an African metropolis

Even though some studies have analysed incubators in developing countries, only a few have analysed incubators in Africa. However, developing countries need entrepreneurial endorsements. Moreover, the attention on entrepreneurship activities in Africa is growing. Indeed, social and economic aspects in developing countries are relevant. This work aims at establishing a link between incubation and its social dimensions to explain the different ways in which incubators are managed. In more detail, this study aims at answering the following Research Question: How can the social engagement of incubators be categorised in an African metropolis? Based on an interpretive qualitative approach of six incubators in Dakar, this study explores the social engagement of incubators. In conclusion, this study proposes a new taxonomy on the social engagement of incubators through their support on projects and people. We explain that incubators in developing countries may be identified as Social Business Incubators. The results also explain how the incubators’ procedures and sponsorship are related to this categorization. The analyses show that mentorship activities are relevant. Moreover, results show how foreign incubator sponsorship seems to prefer incubators that address people with education while private incubator sponsorship tends to focus more social projects.