ParqueSoft is a social initiative that happens to use science and technology as a vehicle.

Its objective is to stimulate democracy and social justice through the inclusion of previously marginalized young people living in low-income communities, transforming them into protagonists of their own enterprises, not employees." 1 - Orlando Rincn Bonilla, Founder, ParqueSoft, in March 2008 Colombia based ParqueSoft is a social entrepreneurship initiative by Orlando Rincn Bonilla (Orlando). ParqueSoft is a network of science and technology parks. It acts as incubators for young entrepreneurs from marginalized communities of Colombia. ParqueSoft's incubation business model is unique as it required an entrepreneur to have an innovative product or solution to be eligible for availing its services. Entrepreneurs are provided with basic infrastructure and seed capital to start their organization within ParqueSoft. An informal work environment was maintained and organizations within ParqueSoft interacted with each other to solve their problems. Organizations are provided with services like marketing, legal, finance management, market research etc. which are non-core activities for a technology company All the products developed in the company are branded as ParqueSoft's products to cut costs of branding individual organizations. The company operated on a pay-it-forward' model where the major part of profits earned by the organizations in ParqueSoft is used to support new entrepreneurs and incubate more companies. In November 2008, Colombia-based non-profit organization ParqueSoft, a network of science and technology parks, announced that it aimed to incubate a total of 1000 micro-enterprises by 2012. With the number of companies incubated since its inception in December 1999 till November 2008 standing at 270, industry observers wondered whether ParqueSoft's aim was a little too ambitious. ParqueSoft was recognized as one of the most innovative business models in the field of IT in Colombia and had received several awards at national and international forums. Its promoter Orlando Rincn Bonilla (Orlando) had been awarded the Social Entrepreneur of the year, Colombia, in 2005, by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship4.

Founded by Orlando in December 1999, ParqueSoft had adopted a unique business model that helped entrepreneurs from the most marginalized communities of Colombia. It provided these entrepreneurs with the required seed capital and other infrastructure to set up their company in ParqueSoft. The companies in ParqueSoft developed innovative products using information technology (IT). ParqueSoft's business model required an entrepreneur to come up with a unique IT product or solution to avail of the services of the organization. According to the analysts, ParqueSoft's strength lay in its human capital and its business model. It required companies that were being incubated to share their knowledge and learning with each other, help each other to solve any technical challenges they faced, contribute to the growth of the organization, and encourage new entrepreneurs...
The Strategy

ParqueSoft's business strategy was based on five macro-objectives that supported its business and research and development. These macro-objectives included providing infrastructure for business development and support; developing the best people in the industry; becoming more innovative, reliable, and competitive for the market; developing financial strength and supporting enterprise development... According to analysts, ParqueSoft's business model was unique. The company promoted the development of innovative products by encouraging youth from the most marginalized communities of Colombia...
Issues:

Get insights on a low cost model of incubating companies. Study an innovative social entrepreneurship initiative. Appreciate the importance of a sustainable business model for social entrepreneurs. Examine the benefits of collaborative approach in IT ventures

I would suggest that students go through the website of ParqueSoft for further details. This case would be discussed in the next session.