business incubator

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablebusiness

   An organization that helps new companies grow by offering low-cost office space, advice and contacts in their early stages.

   Grammar: Countable: the university runs a business incubator.

   Patterns

   • join a business incubator
   • a business incubator for something

   Her startup began in a business incubator run by the local university.

   The city opened a business incubator to support young food companies.

   Many founders say the biggest benefit of a business incubator is the mentoring.

Word forms

Common combinations

join a business incubator

The two friends joined a business incubator after graduating.

run a business incubator

The council runs a business incubator downtown.

technology business incubator

A technology business incubator hosts twenty small firms.

leave a business incubator

Companies leave the business incubator after two years.

business incubator program

The business incubator program offers free advice.

Synonyms and how they differ

startup hub

It is a looser, more modern phrase that may mean any place where startups cluster, not necessarily one that offers support.

accelerator

It works with companies for a short intense period and often invests money, while an incubator lasts longer and is gentler.

innovation center

It is broader and may work with established firms as well as new ones.

Word family

incubate verb

to help an idea or company develop at an early stage

incubation noun

the process of developing something early on

incubator noun

a place or device that supports early growth

business noun

a commercial organization

Commonly confused: business incubator or accelerator?

Practice

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