HU Incubation Centers Coordination and Science Technology Park
Currently Hawassa University has Two Business incubation center and one Science and technology Park.
1. Overview
Hawassa University (HU) is advancing innovation-led development through a coordinated system of Incubation Centers and the establishment of a Science & Technology Park (STP). These initiatives aim to translate research outputs into market-ready solutions, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen university-industry-communal linkages in alignment with national development priorities.
The Incubation Centers and the Science–Technology Park are coordinated under the Directorate of the Institutional Linkage & Technology Transfer Directorate (DILTT), with a very close support from the Office of Vice President for Research & Collaboration Office (VPRC) and relevant academic units.
2. Hawassa University Business Incubation Centers
Hawassa University’s Business Incubation Centers function as key instruments for translating academic knowledge into market-oriented enterprises. Currently Hawassa University has Two Business incubation center and one Science and technology Park.
Technology Business Incubation Center (TBIC)
Agricultural Business incubation center (ABIC)
Technology Business Incubation Center (TBIC): This center established first in 2009 G.C as ICT incubation, and then re-established as TBIC in 2017 G.C.
The Technology Business Incubation Center (TBIC) at the Technology Institute supports innovation and entrepreneurship in Engineering, Applied Sciences, and Emerging Technologies.
The TBIC plays a central role in transforming academic research and student innovations into scalable technology-based enterprises.
Focus Areas Include:
- Engineering and manufacturing technologies
- Process and product innovation
- Renewable energy and green technologies
- ICT-enabled solutions
- Prototype development and testing
Key Services:
- Technical mentorship and laboratory access
- Prototyping and product development support
- Business development and commercialization guidance
- Industry networking and startup acceleration
Agro-Business Incubation Center (ABIC)
The Agro-Business Incubation Center (ABIC) focuses on agribusiness innovation, value addition, and commercialization of agricultural technologies.
ABIC contributes directly to food security, rural development, and agribusiness growth by linking research outputs with farmers, enterprises, and markets.
Focus Areas Include:
- Agri-processing and value chain development
- Food processing and packaging innovations
- Agribusiness entrepreneurship
- Climate-smart agriculture solutions
- Market-oriented agricultural technologies
Key Services:
- Business incubation for agri-entrepreneurs
- Technical support and product development
- Market networking and cooperative development
- Capacity building and entrepreneurship training
3. Science & Technology Park (STP) - Hawassa University
The Hawassa University Science & Technology Park is envisioned as an integrated innovation ecosystem that brings together:
- Research institutions
- Technology-based enterprises
- Startups and spin-off companies
- Industry partners
- Development and investment actors
The STP will serve as a platform for scaling innovations emerging from the University’s incubation centers and research programs, fostering knowledge-based economic development.
Overall Impact & Future Direction of Incubation and innovation ecosystem
Through its incubation and innovation ecosystem, Hawassa University has:
- Supported startup creation and entrepreneurship
- Strengthened university-industry collaboration
- Promoted commercialization of research outputs
- Enhanced student and staff innovation capacity
Future plans include:
- Expanding incubation services
- Operationalizing the Science & Technology Park
- Strengthening investment and industry linkages
- Scaling successful incubation models across disciplines
4. Technology Transfer & Commercialization Pathway
Incubated projects that successfully demonstrate technical and market viability are guided through a technology transfer and commercialization pathway, coordinated by the Institutional Linkage & Technology Transfer Directorate Office (ILTT).
Key commercialization support services include:
- Intellectual Property (IP) identification and protection
- Technology readiness assessment
- Licensing and spin-off company formation
- Industry linkage and investor matchmaking
- Market validation and scaling support
The objective is to ensure that innovations developed within Hawassa University are adopted by industry, commercialized in the market, or transformed into sustainable startup enterprises.
Future plans include:
- Expanding incubation services
- Operationalizing the Science & Technology Park
- Strengthening investment and industry linkages
- Scaling successful incubation models across disciplines
The objective is to ensure that innovations developed within Hawassa University are adopted by industry, commercialized in the market, or transformed into sustainable startup enterprises.
5. Current Incubated projects
By HU academic staff
- Penguin Sucker for Children using 3D Printing Technology
- Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellent and Antibacterial Cotton Fabric Using Neem Oil and Silver Nanoparticles
- Versatile pelletizer machine for natural fertilizers, animal feed and waste biomass processing
- Semi-automatic loom to modernize traditional weaving in Ethiopia
- Pineapple harvesting, peeling and packaging technology tool development
- Various maize shellers (extended)
By students from IoT
- Solar based food dryer
- Solar Powered Automated Air Conditioning System
- Smart Housing Security System
- Ethiovista
- Origin micro adventure web and app for Ethiopia tourism
- Vertical Hydroponic System
- Smart pest spray Drone
- Manual SPT Machine
- AgriLink Food supply chain
- Bet View
- Vein sight
- Ethify
- Digital Platform Connecting Skilled Workers with Businesses and employers
By students from College of Agriculture
- Solar Dryer (Affordable Solar Driers for local farmers )
- Complete protein from plant
- Farmer Family Wondogenet premium mushroom farm
- Eco feed coffee waste (husk)
- Market Map Ethiopia
- Halva Production