University Research Parks and Incubators: The Rio Experience

The U.S. State Dept and the Fulbright Program have awarded Ian P. McCarthy, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Technology & Operations Management, a grant to study university research parks, incubators, and the associated technology transfer programs run by the Genesis Institute, BIO-RIO and the Technology Park of Rio de Janeiro. The aim of this project is to (i) identify and articulate research and policy questions concerning the management and measurement of these university research parks and incubators; and (ii) to conduct case study interviews as part of Ian’s current work on university parks.

Funded in part by the World Bank the Genesis Institute (http://www.genesis.puc-rio.br/main.asp) is part of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). It operates as a permanent university centre of entrepreneurship and innovation, and has five incubation units for developing self-sustainable enterprises and entrepreneurs.

BIO-RIO (http://www.biorio.org.br/) is a foundation that supports university spillovers in biotechnology and related areas. It is associated with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ and is composed of three different units: the Business Support Unit, an Incubator of Firms, and a Research & Technology Park.

The Technology Park of Rio de Janeiro (http://www.parquedorio.ufrj.br/), established in 2004, is also associated with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The Park offers 350,000 square meters for firms from knowledge-intensive sectors, mainly energy, environment and IT. The Park currently hosts around 20 firms and R&D laboratories.