University Pre-incubation: Learning, Perceived Value, and Evaluative Consistency—Evidence of the Contribution of Active Entrepreneurs to Startup Formation

Abstract

University pre-incubation is a key stage in entrepreneurial training and the transformation of academic knowledge into early business initiatives; however, empirical evidence on its learning processes and value generation remains limited, especially in public universities in Latin America. This study analyzes the Wichariy pre-incubation program of the JAKU Emprende Business Incubator at the National University of San Agustín in Arequipa, with the aim of examining the training dynamics, the participants' perception of value, and the consistency of the evaluation criteria. A mixed descriptive-analytical approach is adopted, based on administrative records, perception surveys (Net Promoter Score), characterization of entrepreneurial teams, and inter-rater reliability metrics using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The results show a high rating of the program, with an overall NPS of +67.6, and a greater perception of usefulness in activities focused on practical application and interaction with active entrepreneurs. The study provides empirical evidence on the learning and evaluation processes in university pre-incubation programs, highlighting the importance of integrating experiential methodologies, links with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and reliable evaluation mechanisms to strengthen the design of these programs in incubators.