Small business incubator coaching in South Africa : exploring the landscape

Abstract

Economic growth and job creation through entrepreneurial enterprises are focus areas in which business incubators have to play a significant role in South Africa. The aim of this article was to identify the role that business coaching is playing in the incubator process. Five public and five private sector incubators were analysed to identify services offered, especially the role which business coaching is playing in the incubator. Qualitative research with the use of telephonic interviews was employed as method to collect data. Business coaching is currently non-existent within the incubator process. Coaching as tool for individual development of an entrepreneur needs to be addressed as a key service that incubators should offer their incubatees.