The phrase "incipient stages" refers to the early or beginning phases of something. It means that something is just starting to develop, grow, or take shape. Full definition
Once algorithms can anticipate incipient stages of conditions like heart failure, doctors will be better able to offer treatments tailored to the patient's circumstances. (scientificamerican.com)
In any case, why turn to the supernatural when our understanding of the natural is still in its incipient stages? (scientificamerican.com)
And the incipient stages of Common Core implementation haven't always proceeded smoothly. (educationnext.org)