The role of a social innovation incubator in supporting social entrepreneurs

Social entrepreneurship has been deserving increasing attention from different groups in society, and the academic study of this phenomenon has also been increasing. It might be seen as a way to implement new social innovation ideas, practices, or projects, so delivering important outcomes to more vulnerable groups in society. For the successful implementation of these new social ventures, a social innovation incubator might play an important role. The purpose of this study is to provide some insights into how a social innovation incubator, located in the northern region of Portugal, develops its social and economic objectives in terms of organization, infrastructure, and functioning activities. Using the key success factors (KSF) approach coupled with the theory of change (ToC), the goal was to perceive how such an organization contributes to the strengthening of social entrepreneurial intention and social innovation awareness. The main finding indicates that knowing and being guided by KSF is important for the social incubator manager to fulfil the mission and achieve the objective of strengthening and developing competitive and innovative social ventures.