A Randomised Control Trial to Identify the Effect of Tech Incubators on Startups

Is there an effect of incubator spaces on the survival of startups and their economic performance? And if so, why?

Working with one of the largest tech incubators in the UK, this trial will deploy a multi-site RCT in two different cities. After pre-selection, entry into the incubator will be randomised for 100 firms per site.  The experiment will then explore post-treatment outcomes including survival, recombination, and changes in post-treatment revenue, employment and level of external finance raised.

Using interviews and surveys we will also explore whether different parts of the treatment vary in their effectiveness (e.g. mentoring versus peer to peer interactions). 

Key facts

Location: UK