This D5.3 Final Report of the Inclusive Business Incubation Programme presents the outcomes and impact of one of the core components of the IN-HABIT H2020 project. Implemented by Bridge for Billions as a key partner, the programme ran for three years (2022–2025), empowering entrepreneurs in four European cities - Córdoba, Lucca, Nitra, and Riga - to design, test, and scale inclusive business ideas that address local needs in health and wellbeing. The programme evolved significantly from its initial design, adapting to the realities of each city and the diverse backgrounds of participants. What began as a structured digital incubation platform was progressively reshaped into a flexible, hybrid model that integrated in-person training, community events, and local mentorship, ensuring accessibility for underrepresented groups. Each city introduced its own adaptations: in Córdoba, the focus was on women in vulnerable neighbourhoods such as Las Palmeras; in Lucca, incubation supported ventures around the human–animal bond; in Nitra, the programme was adapted to Roma communities; and in Riga, it expanded nationally to reach young and first-time entrepreneurs from both urban and rural areas. These adaptations illustrate the programme’s capacity to evolve from a single methodology into a locally responsive ecosystem-building tool. Across the three years, the programme successfully supported 223 entrepreneurs and 122 mentors, fostering innovation in key sectors such as Food & Beverage, Health, Agriculture, and Social Assistance. A remarkable 87% of projects demonstrated clear social impact, with strong representation from women (71%) and youth (26%). The incubation generated measurable growth. Post-programme, the percentage of entrepreneurs generating revenue rose from 41% to 54%, and job creation increased from 31% to 58%. The programme achieved a 76% completion rate, above Bridge for Billions’ global average of 66%. Satisfaction levels were also exceptionally high, with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 54 among entrepreneurs and 62 among mentors - both considered “excellent” internationally. Bridge for Billions’ methodology - grounded in personalised mentorship and structured entrepreneurial tools - proved key to strengthening participants’ soft skills (confidence, decision-making, vision, planning) and hard skills(financial planning, market analysis, marketing, and strategy). This holistic approach contributed to 93% of businesses remaining active after incubation, underscoring the long-term viability of the ventures. This report provides both a cross-cutting overview and city-specific insights, demonstrating how inclusive and adaptive incubation can serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, social innovation, and community wellbeing in small and medium-sized European cities.
Bridge for Billions (Fri,) studied this question.