A Comparative Analysis of Research and Development Based Incubator in Thailand, Brazil and Indonesia

Research and development (R&D)-based business incubators serve a strategic function in bridging the divide between scientific innovation and market application. In Indonesia, however, these incubators have yet to reach their full potential. Existing strategic models have not yielded satisfactory outcomes in fostering innovation-driven startups. To address this issue, the present study conducts a benchmarking analysis of R&D-based incubator models in Thailand and Brazil—two emerging economies that, while facing structural challenges similar to Indonesia, exhibit diverse institutional responses and incubation frameworks. Utilizing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this research identifies the models employed in each country and examines the influence of external environmental factors. The findings are categorized into two main dimensions: incubation model structures and the external environment, analyzed through the PESTLE framework. Thailand implements an augmented Stage-Gate model, Brazil adopts a Business Model Canvas (BMC)-oriented approach, and Indonesia applies a traditional three-stage incubation model. Significant structural gaps were identified in political, economic, and legal aspects, particularly in the Indonesian context. This study offers targeted recommendations to address these disparities and enhance the effectiveness of R&D-based incubators in Indonesia. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to utilize a Systematic Literature Review to compare R&D-based incubator models across emerging economies, thereby providing a robust and transparent foundation for policy and strategic development.