University of Mauritius Research Week 2007 ICT Business Pre-incubation and Start Ups

1. University of MauritiusResearch Week 2007ICT Business Pre-incubation and Start Ups Roshan T Ramessur, Ph.D. University of Mauritius ramessur@uom.ac.mu http://vcampus.uom.ac.mu/ict_incubator/

2. Types of business incubators Incubators are often integrated part of a parkstructure. § Virtual incubator - new type of incubator; other than the “traditional incubators”, mostly web-based activity. § New economy incubator- exclusively driven by profit interest of venture capital organisations/ bigger companies. § Pre-Incubator- often part of regular incubators.

3. Dissemination of the business incubator concept Today: approx. 60 associations (international + national) of business + innovation centres or science/ technology parks actively promote the development of new companies + regional economic development. More than 4,000 incubators worldwide. in Europe: around 1,200 incubators generating 30.000 gross new jobs/ year; results being achieved at an average cost per job to public authorities of around 4.000 € net. in the US: • around 1,000 incubators which assisted more than 35,000 • start-up companies that provided full-time employment for nearly 82,000 workers and generated annual earnings of more than $7 billion. in Asian countries: • total of 1,152 incubators with 6,177 incubator graduates (Source: European Commission 2002; newer sources, where available)

4. Key success factors for Technology Incubators Significant regional demand for a TBI § Broad support from different stakeholders. § Adequate incubator building. § Secured long-term financing. § Clear entry- and exit criteria. § Actively embedded into a national and international network. § High professional, dedicated and qualified long term staff fromdifferent educational background.

5. Key Facts and figures for IC-NCB • IC-NCB started by findings of a UNDP Funded Project executed by Experplan GmbH in 2003. • Employment Creation > 90. • Investment – MUR 18 million. • 6 start-ups graduated successfully in NCB -Incubator Centre. • E-Business for Tourism (December 2003). • Website Development and Maintenance Contract (August 2004). • Software Development (February 2005). • Software Development (PKI) & IT Consultancy (June 2005). • Website Development and Multimedia (June 2005). • Multimedia Educational CD (June 2006).

6. UoM-NCB Pre-incubation Activities • EXPERPLAN was contracted by the National Computer Board and executed the project "Support for new and potential start-up incubators in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) in Mauritius" funded by UNDP Mauritius. Key findings of the project showed: • - a necessity to extend the services of the NCB – ICT Incubator Centre to more startups in Mauritius. The University of Mauritius (UoM) was assessed as one of two most suitable locations for the extention of the NCB – ICT Incubator Centre. • - a necessity for establishment of a pre-incubation programme at the NCB – ICT Incubator Centre. • - a necessity for strengthening the cooperation between the Universities in Mauritius and the NCB – ICT Incubator Centre.

7. Defining Entrepreneurship • No Common Agreement on what would constitute a reliable set of indicators on Entrepreneurship. • Entrepreneurship - Act of identifying and seizing new business opportunities (OECD, 1998).

8. Initiative (iBP) • iBP – a joint initiative of the University of Mauritius and the National Computer Board (IC-NCB) was launched by the Minister of ITT on Campus in October 2006. • First Batch of Final Year Project students admitted in 2006. • There are about 25 students working on 12 ICT related projects prior to start-up activities. • Supervision from different Departments and Centres.

9. Aims of iBP • To promote the culture of entrepreneurship on campus by providing students and Faculty members with the necessary knowledge and skills for the launching of their own businesses in the ICT sector. • To develop competencies as business leaders. • To promote the commercialisation of university based research and development.

10. Benefits • iBP provides a common platform and opportunity for students to work on a potentially economically viable product or services in the ICT sector. • opportunity to start building a network of business professionals and potential partners. • Identification of different partners and business stakeholders.

11. Infrastructure and Logistics • FAST Internet Access via ADSL (VPN) • E-mail • Fax and Photocopying Facilities • Common Secretariat • Meeting room • Security • Parking Facilities for Visitors

12. Facilities offered by iBP • Logistic support including access to computers and other communication facilities. • Preparation of business plan. • Business counselling and advisory services. • Training and capacity building programmes. • Networking with industry. • Operational support services: Legal, Accounting, Marketing, Web development, Technical development and Public Relations.

13. Process Overview of iBP

14. Process overview of iBP • Project idea: Students approach the iBP with a project idea • A Project plan is submitted to the iBP by the students. • Evaluation: The iBP Management team assesses the feasibility,business scope and requirements of the proposal. • Admission to iBP programme: coaching, mentoring and training. • Execute project: Students work on their projects and in parallel, work on their business plan. • Dissertation/report/business plan: Depending on the Faculty’s requirements, students submit their dissertation or report and the business plan. • Evaluation: Business plan is evaluated by the iBP Management team. • Students will be prepared to launch their business after successful completion.

15. iBP Project Titles • IT in education • e-portal services/ e/ mobile –learning.   • A Graphical Linux Router with firewall functionalities. • E-medicine/IT in telemedicine- Wap applications for clinic. • Developing an interactive mobile learning (m-learning) platform. • Mobile computing support for Telemedicine in Mauritius. • Creating a game based on the Grand Port Naval Battle. • A distributed Tourist Information System for Mauritius using JAVA RMI. • Music tutor/Design and implementation of a wireless pan and tilt mount for camera. • Development of an Efficient & Fault-Tolerant Distributed Flight Reservation System.

16. Marketing • Participation in ICT Events – InfoTech, seminars • Networking with other institutions (SME Support, Associations, Private Investors, etc..) • Local & International Fairs and Exhibitions. • Entrepreneurship Development Programmes. • Media and Press Coverage. • Website http://vcampus.uom.ac.mu/ict_incubator/

17. Entrepreneurship Development - ICT Sector Finance • Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd. • ICT Loan • Venture Capital Fund • Equity Participation Fund • SME Loan Guarantee Fund • Empowerment Fund (EM). • Leasing Facilities.

18. iBP Centre • Located on 2nd Floor, Phase II Building, Faculty of Engineering iBP Secretariat University of Mauritius Tel: 454-1041 ext 1596 Email: ibp@uom.ac.mu