University incubators as sites of creativity and innovation: the case of the Macquarie University Incubator

Universities and cities are deeply interconnected; however, these relationships are complex. Universities are seen as vital infrastructure for driving local and regional economic growth, creativity, and innovation. On the one hand, universities are seen to provide a trained workforce, with graduates identified as important creative or knowledge workers. On the other hand, universities are identified as key stakeholders in driving economic growth through connections with industry and support for university spinoffs or start-up companies. Universities have been defined as anchor institutions in the establishment and operation of innovation districts. Increasingly, universities have launched incubators to foster connections with industry and enable economic growth. In this chapter, drawing on the case study of the Macquarie University incubator, we argue that incubators are key infrastructure of innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Specifically, incubators operate as physical, social, and educational spaces of creativity and innovation.