Exploring The Impact Of Tech Hubs On Tech-Based Entrepreneurship In Ghana

Abstract

The concept of technopreneurship or technology driven entrepreneurship has over the years come into the lime light with technology hubs playing a pivotal role in churning out innovations daily through their various entrepreneurial activities. Though the area is quite new in the Ghanaian context the contributions made by tech hubs to the success of tech-based start-ups cannot be overlooked. There is still more room to explore its uncharted space to discover new dimensions and how they impact on start-ups in Ghana. This study in view of this sought to explore the impact these tech hubs have on tech-based start-ups by considering three research objectives and questions. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilizing a case study technique, interviews and a purposive and convenient sampling techniques to sample ten respondents, one being the tech hub used as the case study; Innohub and nine start-ups. The first objective, explored the nature of tech-based entrepreneurial activities which revealed that tech hubs provide skills development and training programmes, funding and prepares start-ups to be investor ready and guides them through a period of idea generation and incubation. The second objective revealed three main benefits which include infrastructural support, access to investors and the creation of long-lasting network of individuals who think alike. The third objective discovered some few challenges like data security issues and unstable internet supply. These concerns or challenges, like the internet supply not being stable and data security major issues confronting all who use the internet. The study recommends that policy makers and institutions of government should ensure that an enabling environment is created to promote technology-based entrepreneurs in Ghana. More collaboration with the private sector should be done in promoting technopreneurship activities. Again, funds should be set up to enable start-ups access loans easily.