INCOBRA - Increasing International Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Brazil and the European Union

Created in 1984, the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, IASP is a knowledge-based network which brings together existing and developing science and technology parks (STPs), areas of innovation (AOIs) and innovation-based business incubators (BICs), as well as R&D institutions, universities, consultants and experts in economic regional development and technology- and knowledge transfer. IASP gathers 377 members in 71 countries, which in turn represent a network of over 142,000 companies, most of them belonging to the innovation and knowledge economy.

IASP is a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

IASP is a founding member of WAINOVA, the World Alliance for Innovation, which coordinates 27 associations of science and technology parks and innovation-based incubators all over the world.

The mission of the IASP is to be the global network for STPs and AOIs, and to drive worth, internationalization and effectiveness for its members.

Our main asset is the tremendous experience and know-how accumulated in the last twenty-seven years on all matters related to the design, conceptualization, launching, construction and management of science and technology parks, innovation-based business incubators and areas of innovation from a global perspective, proceeding from IASP’s wide membership base in all continents.

The main fields of specialisation of the IASP are:

• Science and technology parks / centres design, creation, and management. Includes aspect such as feasibility studies, site location, definition of the infrastructure and facilities, strategic modeling, government strategies, marketing & communications, organization and provision of high value – added services.
• Business incubation units and processes: inception, design, creation and management of business incubators, with special emphasis on innovation– and technology–base incubation processes. Selection and assessment of start-up projects, etc.
• International networking: consulting on the establishment of international networking mechanisms. Definition and implementation of the adequate model of networking for different organizations. Networking performance assessments. Actual management of networks and networking structure and channels. International brokerage.
• Technology transfer and commercialization particularly at international level.
• Human resources: highly specialized training for the managing staff of technology parks / centres, business incubators and business service providers.
• Financing of innovation: start up and seed capital strategies.
• Internationalisation of SMEs. Enhance business opportunities for parks and their companies.