Technology business incubation has come to Hong Kong, that much is clear. That it means different things to different people is also clear.
In the past three weeks, many businesses have made it widely known that they are in the incubation business - AsiAlliance, Incubasia and iMerchants.
This is in addition to the companies that were already making moves in the area, such as local tech venture-capital firm techpacific, the Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre and Pacific Century CyberWorks.
Though specifics vary - and in some cases are still shrouded in mystery - the basic concept is the same: the incubators help Internet or tech startups get off the ground in return for taking a cut in the company, either shares or fees, or both.
Conceivably, a would-be entrepreneur can win the backing of an incubator on the strength of just one very good idea.
The incubator could then help with everything, from shaping the business plan and building a management team, to introducing the new company to funders who will keep the venture alive until a profitable exit appears, either a buyout by a bigger party, or an initial public stock offering.
