How do we choose whom to support? Different approaches to selection criteria in business pre-incubation

Purpose The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the selection criteria used in preincubation programs. Particular focus has been placed on examining the exclusive and inclusive nature of these criteria, and how they relate to both egalitarian and utilitarian considerations. Design/methodology/approach The study used two data sources: archival available online data and semi-structured interviews. Forty-nine preincubation programs were examined, with 19 representatives interviewed. The data was analyzed using content analysis to understand the access and selection criteria applied at the preincubation stage. Findings The goals of preincubation programs vary, including developing students’ competencies, creating new companies or achieving the goals of the corporation that sponsored the program. preincubation programs use three levels of selection criteria, including entry criteria, the potential of the submitted idea and team and the personal characteristics and competencies of the applicants. The entry criteria varied across programs, with some programs being open only to university employees and students, while others were open to the public. The study found that the majority of preincubation programs used a combination of both egalitarian and utilitarian motivations in their selection criteria. Practical implications The criteria used to evaluate applications flowing into preincubation should be strongly related to the goals that preincubation is supposed to achieve. It is essential to consider that, contrary to previous knowledge, this process is not only aimed at supporting the creation of new businesses. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that analyzes the approach to selection criteria in preincubation programs with such diverse goals and in different countries as well as expanding the understanding of the criteria used at different stages of the incubation process and relating to the inclusiveness in entrepreneurship.