Dev Diary #10: The Transatlantic Incubator
Good news everyone! Today we have an extra Dev Diary to talk about the Transatlantic Incubator. Last week Megan introduced herself and the new magazine Atlantica, one of the projects we had originally envisioned to be launched early 2020. Today we will talk about another project we have moved to an early start date: The Transatlantic Incubator.
As the wise Alvin Nathaniel Joiner (better known under his rapper name: Xzibit) rightfully points out, the Atlantic Forum is an incubation project on it's own. So how does that work with having an incubator inside an incubator?
Normally incubators are related to businesses, usually an existing compay that helps new and startup companies to develop by providing services such as management training or office space. Or in our case Pantheon helps Atlantic Forum providing a server, bank account and legal status. In a way Pantheon incubators the Atlantic Forum until it is strong enough to stand on it's own legs with the help of the patron system -> see roadmap.
The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) defines business incubators as "a catalyst tool for either regional or national economic development". In our case we would paraphrase that to "a catalyst tool for transatlantic development" - enter The Transatlantic Incubator.
The Transatlantic Incubator is our umbrella to put up new projects that we are not sure yet will see the light of day, but are to cool not to explore further. Say a patron has a great idea that he or she would want Atlantic Forum to pick up on. He or she finds a group of patrons to work on the project and applies through the incubator. Through the patronage system funds and manpower are dedicated and made available for the project, and a time line is set for the project. The project leader reports to the Steering Comittee (later on a dedicated function will be created for the Transatlantic Incubator - this part is still scheduled for April 2020). We do not expect every project to succeed, and that is okay. Just as Atlantic Forum thrives through its grassroot character, so will the projects. Should a project fail, we will salvage what did work or had merit, and put it in the incubator again with a new angle.
Currently there are four incubator projects in development:
- The #PastGen - #FutureGen project following ACTs Human Capital Agenda;
- The Centre of Excellence Engagement program;
- A highschool program under the Academy;
- A young journalist program;
Keep an eye out on the Transatlantic Incubator page for the new developments in Incubationland. In the meantime, make sure to keep checking our website, Facebook, and Twitter so you don’t miss any news or updates, and join the Atlantic Forum as a patron here!
Check back on July 29th as we talk about one of our first incubations: The Academy!