The Influence of a Business Incubator on the Business Success of a Beginner Entrepreneur: Case Study of a Technology-innovation Center in Međimurje County

Abstract

Abstract The recession of the 1990s in Europe and the United States of America marked a defining moment for entrepreneurship. Business incubators emerged as a means of redistributing strategic resources and developing new tools for local and regional economies. In Croatia, most incubators are founded by cities and counties, with two private incubators also in operation. The Technological Innovation Center “Međimurje” (TICM) in Čakovec was established by Međimurje County in 2009 to incubate startup entrepreneurs, with the aim of supporting regional development and strengthening the entrepreneurial sector. With recent population emigration, the Međimurje County Development Plan until 2027 underscores the heightened importance of TICM as an entrepreneurial support institution. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges, needs, and obstacles faced by beginner entrepreneurs working in the TICM incubator. It critically evaluates the extent to which TICM meets the needs of newly founded companies, identifies the challenges it faces, and proposes solutions. By analysing the survey responses, the research questions were answered, and guidelines for the potential future operation of the incubator were developed. Research shows unequivocally that there are numerous advantages of doing business in an incubator, primarily the possibility of survival in the market. The work determines the needs of beginner entrepreneurs, which can guide the building and redefinition of existing services, and also highlights the need to increase the incubator’s capacity.