Background / Terms of Reference
On this page: Iran | Jordan | Morocco | Tunisia | West Bank and Gaza
Iran
Grantee: Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT)
Grant: Operational Grant. US $300,000
Contact: Mehdi Keshmiri, Vice-President for Research and Technology
Email: mkeshmiri@istt.org
Additional Website: http://www.incubators.ir/
The goal of Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT) is to provide incubation services to SMEs, contribute to successful knowledge based businesses, and employment generation. ISTT will improve upon shortcomings stemming from Iran's higher educational system, underdeveloped business incubation practices, poor communication among stakeholders in the private sector, poor relations with international bodies active in the field, and Iran's inadequate ICT infrastructure. The goals of the project are to:
- Improve managerial and operational capabilities among knowledge-based SMEs
- Improve incubation and facilitation management capacity among incubators
- Build the infrastructure for service delivery, and resource and knowledge sharing among incubators and their tenants
- Increase gender impact of incubation programs
- Reduce incubation costs by facilitating e-services and knowledge sharing among non-tenants through an incubator portal system
- Improve economic development at the local and national levels through broader national, and international business transactions.
Jordan
Grantee: National Consortium for Technology and Business Incubation (NATCTIB)
Grant: Operational Grant. US $350,000
Contact: H.E. Dr Taher Kanaan, Secretary General, NACTIB
Email: omar@hcst.gov.jo
The National Consortium for Technology and Business Incubation (NATCTIB) is a small ICT sector business incubator established in Amman, Jordan in 2003. NATCTIB is non-profit organization, but also receives support from the government of Jordan. The lead incubator in the consortium fosters new ICT enterprise start-ups and job creation. The lead incubator has a building area of 800 square meters with eight tenants. No tenants have graduated given that the incubator has only been operating one year. There are three other incubators in the consortium. These incubators each focus on one of the following areas: agriculture, general engineering, and female entrepreneurs.
Morocco
Grantee: Moroccan Information Technopark Company (MITC)
Grant: Capacity Building Grant. US $250,000
Contact: M. Abderrafie Hanouf, General Manager
Email: a.hanouf@casablanca-technopark.ma
Casablanca Technopark is managed by a private company: the Moroccan Information Technology Company (MITC). With an area of 29,000 square meters, including conference rooms, meeting rooms, cafeterias and offices equipped with the latest technologies, the Casablanca Technopark provides its clients with a set of general and technical services. The Casablanca Technopark is currently hosting 130 companies, most of which are start-ups and SMEs in the ICT sector. Multinational companies, training, and research and development centers are also tenants. All tenants are provided facilities and services, such as networking and commercialization assistance, and business plan follow-up. The Casablanca Technopark is developing a business incubator to provide managerial assistance, technological support and training for entrepreneurial ventures. The Casablanca Technopark business incubator aims to meet the needs of entrepreneurs in residence by operating as a hub through which internal and external resources and intellectual assistance can be channeled. The goal is to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses within a two-year incubation period.
Grantee: Al Akhawayn University Incubator
Grant: Capacity Building Grant Grant Amount: $ 150,000
Contact: Rachid Benmokhtar Benabdellah, President
Email: r.benmokhtar@aui.ma
The main objective of Al Akhawayn University Incubator is to create an enabling environment for regional and national social and economic development. Taking advantage of Al Akhawayn University’s human and physical resources, in addition to its international and national network, the incubator aims to create start-up companies. The infoDev funded work program builds the capacity of Al Akhawayn University to support existing firms that have difficulties reaching their potential. Al Akhawayn University also helps university graduates with their ideas for creating new companies.
Tunisia
Grantee: Elgazala Park of Communication Technologies
Grant: Capacity Building Grant Grant Amount: $ 125,000
Contact: Mrs Aïcha Essedika Ennaifar, General Director
Email: ae.ennaifar@elgazalacom.nat.tn
The Technology Parks and Incubators program in Tunisia aims to develop at least one incubator within each Higher Institute of Technology Studies (ISET), and technology park in Tunisia. The program was launched in 1999. To date, 16 incubators and two specialized technoparks have been established in Tunisia. Elgazala, the first park to be set up in 1999, specializes in ICT. More than 40 companies are located in Elgazala. The majority of firms located in the park are SMEs, but there are also some multinational firms. Elgazala also established an incubator within the park in 1999. The infoDev project will:
- Promote a national innovation program to undertake innovative projects and share experience among incubators through meetings, workshops and development of a Tunisian incubation portal
- Foster project development and incubation skills, especially for the Elgazala incubator staff, through a targeted SMEs consultancy, a more effective incubation process, and improved monitoring, coaching and training for incubator tenants. Target audiences for the project include the Elgazala incubator and its tenants, as well as the some of the larger park tenants.
- Improve understanding of the ICT incubation and financing environment through the launch of studies on Tunisian incubation practices and private sector involvement, ICT project financing, and Tunisian professional's use of ICT.
West Bank and Gaza
Grantee: Islamic University of Gaza
Grant: Capacity Building Grant Grant Amount: $ 125,000
Contact: Dr. Mahir Sabra, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering
Email: mahir@mail.iugaza.edu
The goal of the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) business incubator is to facilitate technology diffusion and commercialization, create employment opportunities, and enhance economic growth and development in the Gaza Strip. The infoDev work program aims to increase awareness of the value of business incubation, create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, and increase the impact of ICT-based incubators on economic growth and unemployment reduction in the Gaza Strip. The work program will build on the resources of IUG and its Cartoon Unit (CU) incubator model. The CU incubator has been hosted by the Community Service and Continuing Education Deanship (CSCED) for the past three years. IUG established the CU incubator by providing incubation facilities for twenty entrepreneurs from different colleges and departments. CU produces cartoon films addressing educational and cultural issues within Palestine.
Grantee: The Palestine Information and Communications Technology Incubator
Grant: Capacity Building Grant Grant Amount: $ 125,000
Contact: Mr. Laith Kassis, Acting General Manager
Email: laith.kassis@picti.ps
The infoDev funded work program of the Palestine Information and Communications Technology Incubator (PICTI) aims to develop the Palestinian Micro, Small and Medium Organizations (MSME) sector. The goal of PICTI is to generate new jobs, attract investment and improve the economic environment in targeted areas. The work program will assist in:
- Revitalizing entrepreneurial culture among youth, and stimulate the development of new businesses and entrepreneurs
- Providing technical training, and capacity-building for PICTI staff
The expected outcomes of the infoDev funded work program may include leveraging PICTI’s relationship with the academic community to encourage universities in the West Bank and Gaza to establish incubation programs and facilities in areas beyond central Ramallah. The project’s primary beneficiaries include potential entrepreneurs from the academic community, PICTI clients and staff.