Podnikatelský inkubátor jako nástroj podpory malého a středního podnikání

The paper focuses on the problem of business incubator as a tool of support of small and medium size enterprises. Small and medium size entrepreneurs represent a very important group of business subjects in the world economy which fights a number of issues. Most of these problematic factors can be eliminated or lowered by a suitably chosen tool of support of business activities. The author focuses on a specific tool of support, which includes an array of business support resources and services at once, the phenomenon of the business incubator. This form of support of business carries a complex set of services which are available to companies at an early stage ofdevelopment, from their starting activities. The goal of the paper is to evaluate the effect of the business incubator as a tool of business support for small and medium size enterprises. A theoretical research is dedicated to identification of key processes and goals and is followed by a practical research which looks into detailed identification of key processes in concrete subjects of business incubation in the form of surveys given to crucial representatives of business incubation, to the managements of chosen business incubators and to their clients. The outcomes of the thesis are suitably completed by interviews with selected experts in the field of business incubation. Apart from quantitative data, also qualitative data are brought into the thesis by chosen methods. In conclusion of the thesis, the results are discussed in the context with criteria of relevance, efficiency and sustainability immediately related to procedural issues of researchedsubject. The paper reflects current state in conditions of the field of business incubation in the Czech Republic, points out certain key areas to which attention must be given and it allows giving recommendations to improve the current situation.