BIMRUM: An Empirically Derived Business Incubation Model for Advancing Youth Start-Up Enterprise Sustainability in Rural and Urban Municipalities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijsbe.733Keywords:
Business Incubation, Local Economic Development, Enterprise Sustainability, Rural Development, Youth EntrepreneurshipAbstract
This study develops an empirically grounded Business Incubation Model for Rural and Urban Municipalities (BIMRUM), derived from an ongoing doctoral study in Nkangala District Municipality, to support the sustainability of youth start-ups and strengthen local economic development. It addresses persistent gaps in incubation support within non-metropolitan regions in South Africa. A qualitative desktop systematic literature review was conducted using scholarly sources, government reports, and grey literature published between 2020 and 2026. Data were analysed through content and thematic analysis to identify key constraints affecting youth entrepreneurship. The findings reveal six major challenges: limited access to resources, lack of structured mentorship, gaps in entrepreneurial education and training, restricted access to networks, absence of dedicated incubation centres, and weaknesses in existing models. These challenges are more pronounced in rural and peri-urban municipalities due to institutional fragmentation and infrastructural limitations. In response, BIMRUM is proposed as a context-sensitive model built on four pillars: networking, mentorship, resources, and education and training, coordinated through a municipal-based incubation hub.
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