Strengthening entrepreneurship in communities: an emerging role in postsecondary education

The Center on Education and Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison undertook a national study to examine strategies to foster entrepreneurship through business incubators and postsecondary programs supported by community and technical colleges. This paper describes some of the preliminary results of the study and discusses the implications for entrepreneurship development, considering education and training opportunities in and out of business incubation and in business partnerships with postsecondary institutions. Survey information was provided by 74 business incubators from around the US. Interviews and focus groups were also conducted with business entrepreneurs and managers associated with programs to develop entrepreneurial skills. Administrators, teachers and students at community colleges providing entrepreneurship education were also interviewed. The analysis was based on quantitative and qualitative descriptions of the experiences of entrepreneurs in and out of business incubation. Preliminary results were used to develop a profile of entrepreneurs, key factors associated with entrepreneurship, and the implications for facilitating entrepreneurship through business incubators and community/technical colleges.

The Center on Education and Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison undertook a national study to examine strategies to foster entrepreneurship through business incubators and postsecondary programs supported by community and technical colleges. This paper describes some of the preliminary results of the study and discusses the implications for entrepreneurship development, considering education and training opportunities in and out of business incubation and in business partnerships with postsecondary institutions. Survey information was provided by 74 business incubators from ...  [+] Show more