联合国贸易发展委员会-加强科技创新园区作为促进发展中国家创业的催化剂（英）-2025_26页_2mb

Strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation Parks as Catalysts for Fostering Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries

1. Introduction

The technical note examines how Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) parks can foster entrepreneurship in developing countries through a structured framework, addressing systemic challenges and proposing policy recommendations.

2. A Practical Framework for STI Parks

STI parks function as ecosystem orchestrators, focusing on three key dimensions:

• Entrepreneurial Activation: Cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets, education, and access points.
• Resources and Support: Providing skills (competence), capital, and innovation infrastructure.
• Ecosystem Orchestration: Connecting stakeholders, aligning resources, and reducing fragmentation.

3. Challenges in Developing Countries

Key barriers include:

• Fragmented ecosystems and weak institutional trust.
• Limited infrastructure, inadequate funding, and lack of early-stage support.
• Gender and youth barriers to entrepreneurship.

STI parks can actively address these through targeted interventions at each stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

4. STI Parks as Ecosystem Orchestrators

STI parks enhance connectivity and integration by:

• Connecting and Enabling: Facilitating collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
• Integrating Public Support: Aligning national policies with local innovation needs.
• Real-World Examples: Case studies from Thailand, Brazil, Estonia, and Sweden show how STI parks reduce fragmentation and improve outcomes.

5. Policy Recommendations

To maximize their potential as ecosystem coordinators, STI parks require:

• Governance: Clear mandates, transparent structures, and alignment with national strategies.
• Entrepreneurial Capabilities: Tailored learning programs at all stages from ideation to scaling.
• Connectivity: Building domestic and global linkages for resource mobilization and knowledge exchange.
• Inclusive Support: Targeted measures for women, youth, and marginalized groups.

6. Conclusion

STI parks can catalyze sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship by fostering innovation ecosystems, coordinating resources, and building trust, thereby contributing to broader development goals.