Incubators’ practices influence in the born global startup’s internationalization process

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the born global startup’s internationalization process and the incubators’ practices in providing resources and mechanisms to support this process, to solve (1) the problems that these companies experience in terms of the resources and mechanisms provided by the business incubators, and (2) what are business incubators contributions to the startup internationalization process. An inductive approach and qualitative methodology were adopted in this study using the multiple case study method to analyze four incubators and four born global startups incubated. Interview and document analysis were selected as data collection techniques. Findings show that four factors were identified as influencers according to the incubators and incubates perspectives (entrepreneur, networks, mentoring, credibility). These prove that incubation influences born global startup’s internationalization process; however, this influence is perceived differently depending on the company’s experience. This study identifies the resources and mechanisms that serve to support the strategies definition for startups' entry into international markets. Additionally, it serves as a recommendation for governmental acceleration programmes, providing an understanding that business incubators can be used as a tool to stimulate the emergence of born global startups, thus fostering the country’s economy.

Keywords

• Born global
• Business incubators
• Internationalization
• Startup