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TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION:
THE CASE OF “SInergy” TBI

2
1
Dave E. Marcial , Janice Antoniette V. Förster and Lawrence Dela Peña 3
1 Silliman University
Negros Oriental, Philippines
demarcial@su.edu.ph

2 Silliman University
Negros Oriental, Philippines

3 Silliman University
Negros Oriental, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Technology Business Incubation (TBI) is one of the strategies identified by the Philippine’s
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to promote innovation and technopreneurship
for the country’s socio-economic development. DOST launched the Higher Education Institution
Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HeIRIT) Program. Twenty private and public
universities were identified as recipients of the grant. Silliman University, founded in 1901, is
one of the grantees with the mission to promote innovation and technopreneurship towards
commercialization by fostering the culture within the university and the outside community. As
an incubator, Silliman University is tasked to provide a range of resources, services, and
facilities needed during the development stage of aspiring technopreneurs. This paper presents
the experiences of the establishment of a technology business incubation (TBI) at Silliman
University, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Specifically, this paper shares the efforts and
initiatives during the planning and implementation of the TBI in the university. It also shares the
challenges and opportunities encountered in managing TBI. Lastly, this paper presents the
lessons learned about the conduct of incubation. Interviews from the TBI team, incubatees, and
other stakeholders were conducted. Changing the mindset to technopreneurial culture is a
challenging effort. Just like any other academic disruption, institutional and holistic leadership is
vital in the success of managing a technology business incubation.