FAQ

  1. What is Incubation centre? - It is an ecosystem that helps the existing as well as potential entrepreneur to conceive right business idea, start and execute a scalable business model, survive and grow it through a sustainable business model. ICT provides platform for both incubation as well as acceleration , both needs the same eco-system. Incubation generally takes from few months to 30 months. Acceleration may take 3 to 6 months and can be done step wise like grow then stabilize, again grow and stabilize. ICT provides opportunity for handling disruptions at every stage of business cycle. (What is my stage of business?)

     

  2. Who needs Incubation Centres?
    1. Entrepreneur- who want to explore/ start new ventures, who want to scale up existing ventures
    2. Freelancers- who want to convert their freelancing in regular business with scale up possibilities
    3. Investor- who want to invest in early start ups, who want to invest in scale up of successful start ups
    4. Employee- who wants to explore/shift career from employment to business, who want to perform better in existing job by providing customers/ opportunities, who while in employment want to associate/work with start up
    5. Ex employee- who is out of employment/ opted VRS/ retired and want to explore/ start business
    6. Homemaker- who want to explore/ start business
    7. NRIs- who want to associate with Indian start up to scale it up, who want to invest in Indian Start ups
    8. Foreign Citizens/ Investors- who want to invest in Indian Start up
    9. Student - who want to work as intern in Start up, after completing education want to explore/ start business

        

  3. Why do I need incubation centre?  There are many reasons , some important ones are listed below
    • Identify and consult proper mentor on need base or on retainer
    • Learn from support system to overcome lack of business experience e.g. rationalizing self doubts, learn and practice pitching the business/ product/ service
    • Explore solutions/ productivity tools for immediate problems- streamline crm, accounting, daily task management, time consuming admin tasks, event plannings etc.
    • Understand, plan and implement scale up activities, understand marketing activities and it's payback etc.
    • Understand finance and legal complexities
    • Explore funding opportunities, ease the cash flow
    • Look out for possible collaboration/ joint ventures/ vendor development etc.

       

  4. How is ICT different from networking?
    • ICT is to build and maintain a robust business model and the networking is to market the products/ services produced by the business model. The success of networking is conditional on the success of business model.
    • Networking of businessmen does not solve your core business problems but it highlights them. ICT helps to focus on solutions to the highlighted problem without bias to medicine, operation or doctor. Once the right solution is identified then the networking can help you to find right medicine, operation, doctor.
    • Networking is good to implement a business model. ICT is good to build and maintain a robust business model.
    • Innovation is the key for success and it has to come from within. Entrepreneurs lack team and resources to validate their innovative ideas which ICT can help. Once validated you can launch the innovative product/ service through your network.
    • Networking is a continuous process for any entrepreneur of which each network group is a partial solution. Incubation of a business model is occasional but fundamental to your ability to take the best benefit out of your network.
    • A healthy node(single computer) can best use the network (many connected computers), whereas the under performing node find difficulty in gaining feed from healthy nodes as well as find difficulty in delivering feed to other nodes.

       

  5. How is ICT different from co-working spaces?
    • ICT is about providing platform to interact with right stakeholders/ mentors not about providing physical space, which co-working spaces provide.
    • Use ICT before you commit yourself to a business venture or try to find a co-working space.
    • ICT is a platform which is needed to solve core issues of business which even if you have space you are not able to resolve.
    • Your getting support from co-workers is only incidental to your use of space. Choosing ICT is your conscious and planned action to resolve your core business issues with right mentors , resource providers.
  6. How is ICT different from funding institutions/ investors?
    • ICT is a platform where you have to pitch your business to the potential funding institution/ investor. It is completely between you and potential financial institution/ investor whether to go forward and how to go forward.
    • At ICT you may get opportunity to present your business case to multiple funding agencies or to potential collaborators. In the same way the investor/ financier will also get options where investment/ funding can be made.

       

  7. What is special about Incubation Centre Thane (ICT)? It is physically located in Thane, Maharashtra, India and focuses on  market in and around Thane (Thane GDP is Rs 1.55 lakh crores (USD 23b) with 8% CAGR) and Mumbai (Mumbai GDP is Rs 1.89 lakh crore (USD 28b) with 4% CAGR) for local as well as outside players. It is no frills pure business meet of potential collaborators.

     

  8. I am interested, how should I participate? The Incubation Centre Thane meeting is by confirmation only due to limited seats. You have to apply and wait for confirmation. Two types of application as below.

     

  9. Where can participants apply?- Participant can participate in one of the incubation meet listed on this site See upcoming Meets.  The preparation needed from your side is mentioned in the confirmation email. Example: Meet on how to use productivity tools like CRM. Any 8 participants can attend. 

     

  10. Where can organizer apply?- Please contact us for organizing specific incubation meet in ICT for which you have already identified maximum 8 participants (including you) and want facilitation for it. The preparation needed from your side will be mentioned in the confirmation email. Example: you are looking for joint venture partner, explore franchise out opportunity, explore lead/opportunity sharing with agreement etc.

     

  11. What are the charges for meet for organizers at ICT and what does it cover? The charges vary on time slot and the day of meet. For organizer's meet it is mentioned in the email and confirmation will be sent only after payment of fixed non refundable fee irrespective of attendance of participants. It covers only water, writing pad and pen. The room is air conditioned and equipped with desks with one chair and charging points, a white board.  You have to arrange your own laptops, pen drives etc. Timing is strictly observed, any delay is chargeable as mentioned in confirmation email.

     

  12. Why meet is only by confirmation? The centre is best located in heart of city. The centre has limited capacity of 8 participants, demand is very high. Meet of 2 hours is very effective. The objective is maximum people should get opportunity and those who get it should be serious participants.