The leverage effect of structural funds on the evolution of the EUBICs in Europe : Comparative analysis of the operations and performance of EUBICs for the 2008 – 2012 period

The present study assesses the impact of structural funds on the European innovation-based incubation industry between 2008 and 2012. The EUœBICs are certified innovation-based incubators whose experience started in 1984 through a pilot project started by the European Commission (DG Regional and Urban Policy) with ERDF funding. Still today, (and over the course of the last 3 decades), Structural Funds are contributing to a certain degree to the business model of some of the EU˜BICs. This study shows the results of a comparative analysis based on the self-assessment data collected each year through the EUœBIC quality system managed by EBN. Two different groups of EU˜BICs have been identified and compared: the SFœEUBICs (who have been recipient of structural funds) and the NonSF-EU˜BICs (EUœBICs who have not been structural funds recipients). The specific elements of comparison are the profile (ownership, business model, internal organization, competencies, services delivered), the key performance indicators (from lead generation for start-up creation to growth services for SME consolidation) and the value for money (return on investment, payback period, cost per job created)