O papel das incubadoras no desenvolvimento de novos negócios: um estudo sobre as incubadoras da cidade de Chapecó

Abstract

Business incubators represent important mechanisms for supporting the creation and consolidation of new ventures, especially in academic contexts where innovation and entrepreneurship are increasingly encouraged. By offering technical support, training, mentoring, and market connections, these environments directly contribute to reducing the failure rate of nascent businesses. This study aims to understand the role of incubators in the growth and development of new businesses in the city of Chapecó, Santa Catarina (Brazil). The research is qualitative, applied, and descriptive in nature, and was conducted through a multiple case study involving four local incubators: START, I.NOVA, INNE, and INCTECH. Data collection was carried out through semistructured interviews with the incubator managers, as well as the analysis of institutional documents. The results reveal that, despite their specific characteristics, all incubators play a fundamental role in strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem by providing technical support, infrastructure, mentoring, and market integration. Furthermore, they stand out as spaces for entrepreneurial training and the promotion of innovative ideas, significantly contributing to the reduction of early-stage business mortality. The study also highlights that the joint efforts of incubators, universities, and support agencies enhance the emergence of sustainable and innovative ventures.