The role of business incubators in driving eco-innovation by start-ups: a descriptive-survey study

Purpose. This study investigates the role of business incubators (BIs) in fostering the development of eco-innovations by incubated start-ups. By examining how BIs integrate sustainability into their incubation practices and facilitate open innovation (OI) processes, it explores the overlooked intersection between incubation, OI, and eco-innovation.Design/methodology/approach. The research employs a descriptive survey design based on a sample of Italian BIs. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered in 2024.Findings. The results reveal that BIs are increasingly fostering a sustainability-oriented culture and supporting eco-innovation, although such practices remain at an early stage of development. By acting as OI intermediaries, BIs facilitate knowledge and technology transfer across innovation ecosystems, contributing to more robust and sustainable networks. Nonetheless, incubated start-ups do not yet fully exploit networking services, suggesting either a lack of consolidated strategies and expertise or that the diffusion of OI in Italy is still in progress.Practical and social implications. The findings suggest that BI managers should strengthen sustainability-oriented policies and enhance OI support to make incubation processes increasingly competitive. Start-up managers should leverage BIs’ networks to overcome resource constraints, particularly in developing eco-innovations. Policymakers are encouraged to provide incentives, training, and dedicated funding to reinforce BIs’ role in fostering sustainable innovation ecosystems.Originality of the study. This study contributes to the emerging debate on the interplay between OI and eco-innovation by conceptualizing BIs as sustainability-oriented OI intermediaries. It advances understanding of how incubation practices shape sustainable innovation ecosystems and provides empirical evidence from the Italian context, where the diffusion of the OI paradigm remains limited.