How Tech Hubs are Helping to Drive Economic Growth in Africa

Planned Luck: How Incubators Can Facilitate Serendipity for Nascent Entrepreneurs Through Fostering Network Embeddedness

“…The view of many funders and government organizations that incubators can be effective vehicles for encouraging the development of new enterprises around a physical space has led to a rapid proliferation of incubators: Over the last 10 years, the International Business Innovation Association has doubled its membership base (over 2000 members in 2018). In sub-Saharan Africa alone, over 100 incubators have been established over the last few years (Friederici, 2015; Kelly, 2014). Incubators supposedly create resource-munificent environments (Castrogiovanni, 1991; Chandler & Hanks, 1994) that shield entrepreneurs from environmental selection (Amezcua et al, 2013; Barnett et al, 1994; Scillitoe & Chakrabarti, 2010).…”

The emergence and strategy of tech hubs in Africa: Implications for knowledge production and value creation

“…While we acknowledge that DiY laboratories come in various shapes and forms, the focus of this paper is on tech hubs which have become one of the dominant knowledge production platforms in Africa (Kelly, John, & Firestone, 2016;International Trade Centre, 2019). Within the past five years alone, DiY tech hubs have expanded rapidly in the continent from 314 in 2016 to 643 in 2019.…”

“…Within the past five years alone, DiY tech hubs have expanded rapidly in the continent from 314 in 2016 to 643 in 2019. The number of tech hubs has doubled within the last three years from 314 in 2016 to 643 in 2019 (Kelly, John, & Firestone, 2016). This new era of research into DiY tech hubs, therefore, seeks to effectively engage many users and stakeholders in the knowledge co-creation process in fostering economic and technological development in Africa (West & Boger, 2014).…”

“…Third, over the past few years, sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed a proliferation of tech hubs (Kelly, John, & Firestone, 2016;Giuliani et al, 2019). However, research on these hubs has not kept pace with the phenomenon.…”

The Endless and Turbulent Frontier of Academic Entrepreneurship

“…23 Given their needs for healthcare, water, energy, and housing, are the emerging markets (Africa and Southeast Asia) prime for nanotechnology-centered entrepreneurs? With the rapid increase in tech hubs, 24 the climate is ripe for nano-and other materials-based entrepreneurship. The opportunities are tremendous and some countries, such as Botswana and Rwanda, are tapping into this potential by investing heavily in relevant research.…”