Impact of innovation ecosystems on the promotion and performance of agro-food startups (AGTechs): an Ibero-American case study

Abstract

Studies related to entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem are directly linked to local and global economic development in modern economies. In turn, agribusiness is the basis of the economies of countries such as Brazil and others in Latin America. This strategically important sector needs constant innovation in order to remain competitive and up-to-date with the needs of humanity. In this context, startups and spin-offs, mainly universities, generate jobs and income, are responsible for solving the central problem of supplying an increasingly inhabited planet with an increasing demand for food and biomass consumption (fibers, pulp, biofuels). This project intends to study the process of formation and development of companies linked to the agrifood system (AGTech) in incubators and international science and technology parks. The methodology to be used will be based on quantitative research (multivariate analysis) and qualitative (case study and discourse analysis) with the coordinators of incubators and science / technology parks, entrepreneurs and stakeholders involved. The main data collection instrument is based on the successful experience of the PCUV, a member of the AGROINNCUBA Network, a project supported by the CYTED Program. In the end, it is intended to contribute to increasing the knowledge of the induction of the development of new AGTech, through the diagnosis of these ecosystems and of good practices that can be reproduced in other similar international situations. (AU)