Get to know Innovations Hub

Incubation is more than 3D printing, coffee and office spaces

Incubation is like...
a gardener

Imagine bags
full of seeds...

Each seed is almost identical, just like start-ups at an early stage. Some of these seeds will grow into grass, others will bloom into beautiful flowers, and only a few will become mighty trees. The gardener knows that not every seed has the potential to grow to great size. That’s why it’s so important, in the beginning, when choosing teams and companies, to assess their potential and chances for growth.

The best seeds don’t always bear fruit

Even if a seed has the potential to grow, it can only develop into something great under the right conditions. The same goes for start-ups: without support at key moments, they have lower chances of success. Incubation, like a gardener, gives them the chance to grow faster and gain a stronger position in the market. Without it, their path may be full of uncertainty. Sometimes these seeds grow into huge trees that amaze with their size. They are as rare as unicorns.

Incubators are...
a window to the local ecosystem

Incubators are a key element of the start-up ecosystem, mapping the local ecosystem, building networks, and connecting founders with partners, investors, and accelerators. They gather knowledge and experiences from other entrepreneurs, helping to avoid mistakes and draw on best practices. This makes incubation a window into the local start-up ecosystem, providing access to key market players for all stakeholders.

Incubation is... a place where stars are born

For a star to ignite, it must gather an enormous amount of matter until the spark of fusion sets it alight for good. It’s the same with start-up founders — they attract people, capital, and resources to bring their vision to life. Incubators play a key role in this process, connecting brilliant minds and providing them with the necessary resources so they can shine. They are the gravitational force driving innovation, turning raw potential into spectacular success.

Incubators are the
foundation of the market

Incubators are the foundation of the early-stage (pre-seed) market, where start-ups take their first steps. They lay the groundwork for the next stages of ecosystem growth, fueling accelerator programs, companies, and investors. Without strong incubators, it would not be possible to build a dynamic start-up ecosystem and, along with it, a positive impact on economic growth.

Incubation is... a horse

Finally, we like to use a story taken from the book "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. In this story, the main character, a boy, gets lost in the forest with his animal companions. Frightened, he turns to the horse: – I don’t know how to get out of the forest – said the boy. – Can you see your next step? – asked the horse. – Yes – replied the boy. – Then take it, and eventually you will find your way – said the horse.

You might ask – What does this story have to do with incubation?

The boy couldn’t see the whole path, but he knew his goal!

It’s the same with entrepreneurs — they have a vision of where they want to go, but often cannot see the path that will take them there. Drawing from the experiences of hundreds of start-up founders, we play the role of the horse in this story — helping them take the next steps and guiding them in the right direction, knowing the mistakes others have made. We support them with knowledge and advice so their ideas can become reality and achieve market success. That’s why incubators are trusted places for start-ups — we want to know your hardest challenges and biggest weaknesses, because only then can we truly help.