Exploring Business Incubators in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence : A study of Disruptors and Enablers in the Swedish Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

This study investigates how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping the role of business incubators in the Swedish Startup Ecosystem, particularly in their provision of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and networking to startups. Using the lens of Disruptive Innovation Theory and the External Enablers framework, the study explores how GenAI tools act simultaneously as disruptive forces, potentially challenging certain aspects of traditional incubator services, and as external enablers that incubators can leverage to enhance their relevance and effectiveness. The study adopts a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 15 stakeholders, including incubator employees, startup founders, a board member of the Swedish association for incubators and science parks, and a digital change expert. Key findings indicate that while GenAI challenges incubators' traditional mentorship and knowledge functions, it also creates opportunities for them to innovate their services to startups. Notably, incubators are evolving into trust-based validators of GenAI-created knowledge and human networking hubs in response to rapid AI adoption, functions that GenAI cannot replicate. The study highlights the need for institutional readiness and joint incubators' collaboration to harness GenAI's potential while maintaining strategic relevance. These insights fill key research gaps in understanding incubators’ evolving role and the practical strategies needed to remain effective amid technological change.