Re-evaluating the role of Makerspaces as a form of incubation: Implications for Policy and Practice

Providing support structures for new businesses is seen within most developed economies as a policy priority and efforts in this regard have attracted considerable levels of academic interest. Various authors have tracked the evolution of different forms of incubation provider. Unfortunately, the various services provided by makerspaces has not attracted an equivalent level of academic interest within business journals. This development paper attempts to produce a comparison between makerspaces and more established models of incubation support in order to investigate similarities and differences.  The methodology  utilised includes a systematic literature review and an open-access database made up of data on makerspaces operating within the United Kingdom. The theoretical lens of model design is also utilised to identify key elements. The paper identifies considerable over-lap between makerspaces and more established models of incubation support. Policy implications are referred to as well as issues for practitioners.