Description
A number of shy yet innovative ventures were identified in refugee camps in Lebanon to bring in education, health or work to refugees. Many social enterprises are active in the Mena region and Lebanon attempting to address a protracted refugee crisis. In the context of limited research on social enterprise in the MENA region in general and on incubators and accelerators we aim to explore their capacity to develop these ventures and increase social inclusion and development, and help resolve the refugee crisis. Our exploratory research contributes to the ICT in social development literature. First, we point out how refugee-oriented startups need to be specifically targeted as a locus of support activity much like other “markets” in order for this ecosystem to grow and develop. Second, the form of this support may have to include specialized incubators, accelerators and other capacity building initiatives for the ecosystem to thrive.
Recommended Citation
Salamoun, Randa and Azad, Bijan, "Role of Innovation Incubators and Accelerators in Alleviating the Refugee Crisis" (2017). AMCIS 2017 Proceedings. 16.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2017/ICTs/Presentations/16
Role of Innovation Incubators and Accelerators in Alleviating the Refugee Crisis
A number of shy yet innovative ventures were identified in refugee camps in Lebanon to bring in education, health or work to refugees. Many social enterprises are active in the Mena region and Lebanon attempting to address a protracted refugee crisis. In the context of limited research on social enterprise in the MENA region in general and on incubators and accelerators we aim to explore their capacity to develop these ventures and increase social inclusion and development, and help resolve the refugee crisis. Our exploratory research contributes to the ICT in social development literature. First, we point out how refugee-oriented startups need to be specifically targeted as a locus of support activity much like other “markets” in order for this ecosystem to grow and develop. Second, the form of this support may have to include specialized incubators, accelerators and other capacity building initiatives for the ecosystem to thrive.