Incubateurs

Incubateurs, or incubators, are devices or programs designed to maintain controlled conditions that promote growth or development. In biology and medicine, incubators are temperature- and humidity-controlled devices used to culture cells, propagate microbes, or rear embryos. They provide stable environmental parameters, often including CO2 regulation and sterile operation, to support experiments and clinical workflows. Neonatal incubators are bedside enclosures for premature or ill newborns, delivering warmth and continuous monitoring to reduce hypothermia risk.

In agriculture, poultry and hatchery operations use incubators to hatch eggs by maintaining precise temperature, humidity, and automatic turning to mimic a hen's care. In the broader sense, incubators also refer to programs that nurture early-stage ventures. Startup incubators offer workspace, mentorship, access to networks, and often modest funding in exchange for equity or under favorable terms. Programs typically last several months and emphasize product development, market validation, and the building of a founding team.

Economic incubators are usually run by universities, research institutes, cities, or private organizations, aiming to increase local innovation and employment. They differ from accelerators in scope and duration: incubators focus on long-term business formation and experimentation, while accelerators run fixed-term cohorts with structured curricula and faster paths to external funding.

The term derives from the idea of incubating growth until maturation. See also neonatal care, cell culture equipment, and entrepreneurship programs.