From Incubation to Impact: A Quantitative Assessment of Ecosystem Support and Performance Dynamics among IIT Roorkee Startups

Abstract

This study examines how university-led incubation ecosystems influence the performance outcomes of technology startups, using empirical evidence from startups incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Grounded in the Resource-Based View and Innovation Ecosystem Theory, the research investigates the dynamic relationships between ecosystem support, incubation services, resource access, networking mechanisms, and startup performance. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from founders and core team members of incubated startups through a structured questionnaire. Advanced statistical techniques, including regression analysis and structural equation modeling, were employed to test the proposed relationships. The findings demonstrate that ecosystem support and incubation services significantly enhance startup performance, both directly and indirectly, through improved access to resources and strengthened networking and investor linkages. The results highlight the critical role of university-based incubation systems in transforming early-stage ventures from incubation to sustained market impact. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers and incubator managers aiming to strengthen academic entrepreneurship ecosystems.