RISK ANALYSIS IN ENTERPRISES IN THE INCUBATION PHASE: a case study in a southern Brazil incubator

The incubation processes of enterprises are in general full of risks. This is a common characteristic among innovation environments. In this context, this work aims to understand the process of an enterprise in a technological incubator, from ideation to graduation, analyzing the risks involved during the life cycle before leaving for the market. To achieve these objectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with specialists in the area of risk and innovation. Several risks were identified, organized, grouped and prioritized through the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. It must be understood, however, that some risks must be tolerated because these enterprises are embedded in innovation environments. Risk management is a viable practice and is necessary to support the development of the enterprise and the decisions that follow it.