Business Incubation Platform to Increase Student Motivation in Creative Products and Entrepreneurship Courses in Vocational High Schools

Abstract Entrepreneurship is crucial for economic and social advancement, necessitating the provision of entrepreneurial skills to younger generations. In Indonesia, vocational high schools incorporate entrepreneurship education via Creative Projects and Entrepreneurship (CPE) courses. However, conventional teaching techniques frequently do not adequately develop business competencies. Numerous student-generated goods exhibit deficiencies in strategic branding, commercial alignment, and market relevance, constraining their potential for practical application. This study presents INCUBE, a web-based business incubation platform to improve students’ passion for learning and preparedness for entrepreneurship. The platform utilizes design thinking as its pedagogical framework, directing students through systematic incubation phases, encompassing problem identification, business modeling, prototyping, and product presentation. The study used a quasi-experimental methodology, including Alpha Testing, Beta Testing, and Learning Motivation Assessment. Statistical evaluations, comprising paired-sample t -tests and N-Gain score computations, evaluate the platform’s efficacy in enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. The findings demonstrate that INCUBE markedly enhances student motivation, evidenced by an N-Gain score of 0.46 (indicating moderate efficacy) and a validated media feasibility rating of 88%. These findings underscore the capacity of web-based company incubation to connect entrepreneurial theory with practice, providing a systematic, technology-oriented method for vocational education.