Publication: The Business Models of mLabs and mHubs : An Evaluation of infoDev's Mobile Innovation Support Pilots
Date
2014-01
ISSN
Published
2014-01
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
In 2010, infoDev, the government of
Finland, and Nokia launched the Creating Sustainable
Businesses in the Knowledge Economy (CSBKE) program to
derive and test new approaches to advancing innovation and
entrepreneurship in developing countries. Based on the vast
growth of mobile content and access technology, a large part
of the program focused on support for innovation in mobile
applications and software (or apps ). Through CSBKE, the
concept of mobile entrepreneurship enablers was developed,
of which two forms were tested: Mobile Application
Laboratories (mLabs) and Mobile Social Networking Hubs
(mHubs). mLabs are specialized mobile app business
incubation and acceleration service providers; mHubs focus
on mobile tech community building by convening stakeholder
groups at informal gatherings. mLabs were intended to reach
a region comprising several countries, whereas mHubs serve
only a single city. Underpinning the mLab and mHub models
was the conviction that the enhancement of local innovation
ecosystemscharacterized by effective partnerships and
coordination amongst stakeholderswould improve the enabling
environment for mobile entrepreneurship. infoDev also ran a
number of global projects (such as innovation competitions)
and training sessions, complemented by analytical products,
such as qualitative evaluations, a major report on user and
app ecosystems in developing countries, and a generic
business model for mLabs.
Citation
“World Bank. 2014. The Business Models of mLabs and mHubs : An Evaluation of infoDev's Mobile Innovation Support Pilots. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/20079 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”