University spin-off firms and market introduction of sustainable energy inventions

Conference paper (2019)

Authors

R. Nejabat Economics of Technology and Innovation - TPM
M.S. van Geenhuizen Economics of Technology and Innovation - TPM
Research Group
Economics of Technology and Innovation (TPM) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 R. Nejabat, M.S. van Geenhuizen
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34190/ECIE.19.085
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2019

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Department

Values Technology and Innovation

Research Group

Economics of Technology and Innovation

Abstract

Many university spin-off firms today are involved in sustainable energy technology. However, to what extent and how spin-offs reach market introduction of their inventions, is not well-understood. Spin-offs may differ in many ways, like entrepreneurial orientation and competences, and opportunities in their ecosystem. To contribute to a better understanding, this paper explores differences in market-introduction (time)and underlying factors. It draws on a carefully selected sample of almost 40 university spin-offs in Europe and it applies rough-set analysis to explore relationships. The results suggest a high probability of positive development if spin-offs grow up in a 'Innovation Leader' country (like Sweden and Denmark) and employ multiple networks. A second set of favourable factors include a practical mind-set in the founding team through education merely at MSc level and accessing of substantial investment capital. In contrast, hampering factors include being involved in solar energy technology as a 'follower', while employing one-sided/poor collaboration networks. Overall, the results suggest substantial differentiation among spin-offs, and concomitant practical (policy) implications.