POLISH UNIVERSITIES CONTRIBUTION TO ACADEMIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT*

Abstract

In the recent years there has taken place a kind of evolution of the role of universities in their local environment, the shift has been from teaching and research activities towards more involvement in the regional social and economic development. A relatively new form of university activity aimed at strengthening regional economy processes are academic business incubators. They are to offer their support to those students and academics that are planning to set up their own businesses and face the marketplace. The purpose of the article is to present how Polish Universities encourage students to realize their own business concepts and assist them in overcoming barriers that appear on this way. The role of universities is to offer help at the stage of initiating the business that is the most difficult for young entrepreneurs. This cooperation contributes to building the regional connections and relations network that leads to the creation of the business environment.