The key role of knowledge mentors in the co-managed Innovation

Focusing the attention on the relational perspective of knowledge transfer, the purpose of this paper is to deepen the role of the Incubators and their innovative business model. The research results are mainly ascribable to the ability of the Incubators, together with their Science Parks, to facilitate the sharing and combining of heterogeneous knowledge among firms, universities, public institutions, and other stakeholders. As outlined in the two cases analysed, the Incubators stimulate the Innovation development through networking solutions to those problems that may occur in the early stages of a company, overcoming the traditional perspective of real estate services. Furthermore Incubator that is located inside the Science Parks can provide a wider network of knowledge and relationships to its start up. From this perspective Incubators and Science Parks support the transition from geographic proximity to relational proximity in the knowledge transfer context.