The Role of Higher Education in Developing Effective Support Structures for Technology Entrepreneurs

Abstract

<jats:p> The authors examine the active role which a third-level institution in the North East of Ireland has taken in the development of a regional support structure for new and existing technology-based businesses. The specific experiences of Dundalk Regional Technical College (Dundalk RTC) are related and their response to the new RTC Act is described. The paper focuses on the technological aspect of the new regional development role and describes how the College's incubator was set up and developed into a comprehensive support facility for technology-based businesses. The main objective of the paper is to identify the key components of an effective technology support structure. The advantages of a campus-based support facility are underlined, as is the need for a comprehensive approach to regional technological development. </jats:p>