The early development of academic spin-offs

For centuries, one of the core tasks of universities has been the creation of new knowledge through scientific research and its subsequent dissemination. Traditionally, the latter occurred through teaching and (scientific) publications, and to a lesser extent through contract research. In recent decades however, scientists and universities gradually became more involved in the direct commercialisation of their research results, e.g. through the creation of academic spin-offs. This book studies the early development of academic spin-offs, in a European sample of 185 spin-offs. It identifies a number of significant factors that stimulate or impede spin-off survival or success. The study adopts a holistic perspective on the subject, touching upon a broad variety of business and technology topics that may determine spin-off success.