Building a Truly Great Incubator; A New Doctrine for Academic Institutions By Mukesh Gupta

Chapter 5: The True Calling of the Incubator

Think of the incubator not as a showcase, but as a bridge being built by Academics.

On one side, you have Industry Veterans—hoteliers, event managers, wellness curators. They have knowledge, networks, capital. But often they are stuck in the old playbook.

On the other side, Academics have students—buzzing with energy, ideas, digital skills, sometimes naïve but always daring.

The incubator is the referee and coach. It ensures both sides collaborate, share fairly, and co-create.

Think of it like a cricket match. Industry are the senior players, students are the debutants.

The incubator is both coach and umpire—setting fair rules, moderating disputes, and cheering for innovation.

How useful is this role? Very. It makes both industry and students comfortable. Nobody feels exploited, nobody feels sidelined.