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Academic spin-offs, corporate spin-outs and company internal start-ups as technology transfer approach

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  • Gunter Festel

Abstract

As a rule, a technology transfer gap exists between research and development and the commercialisation of the results. This article investigates the role of new ventures for technology transfer from universities and research institutions as well as between or within companies to close this gap. Based on case studies in Germany and Switzerland, different examples of this technology transfer approach have been analysed. Academic spin-offs can help to transfer technology from universities and research institutions to industry especially if there is the need for additional funding to further develop the technology. Corporate spin-outs can be used for technology transfer between companies as an alternative to closing operations should these no longer fit into the parent organisation. Internal start-ups were identified as a new approach for company internal technology transfer from research departments to business units focused on commercial operations to overcome innovation barriers within companies. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2013

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  • Gunter Festel, 2013. "Academic spin-offs, corporate spin-outs and company internal start-ups as technology transfer approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 454-470, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:38:y:2013:i:4:p:454-470
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-012-9256-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Shu-Hao Chang, 2018. "A pilot study on the connection between scientific fields and patent classification systems," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 114(3), pages 951-970, March.
    2. K. Poehlmann & R. Helm & O. Mauroner & J. Auburger, 2021. "Corporate spin-offs’ success factors: management lessons from a comparative empirical analysis with research-based spin-offs," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1767-1796, August.
    3. Hugo Horta & Michele Meoli & Silvio Vismara, 2016. "Skilled unemployment and the creation of academic spin-offs: a recession-push hypothesis," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 798-817, August.
    4. Carolin Bock & Alexander Huber & Svenja Jarchow, 2018. "Growth factors of research-based spin-offs and the role of venture capital investing," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(5), pages 1375-1409, October.
    5. Lyons, Thomas S. & Miller, Steven R. & Mann, John T., 2017. "A New Role for Land Grant Universities in the Rural Innovation Ecosystem?," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 48(2), July.
    6. Carolin Bock & Christian Landau & Moritz Orendt & Maximilian Schmidt, 2018. "Are Public Financing Schemes Beneficial For University Spin-Offs And The Technology Transfer Of Innovations?," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(06), pages 1-30, August.
    7. Chang, Shu-Hao, 2017. "The technology networks and development trends of university-industry collaborative patents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 107-113.
    8. Marco Ferretti & Salvatore Ferri & Raffaele Fiorentino & Adele Parmentola & Alessandro Sapio, 2019. "Neither absent nor too present: the effects of the engagement of parent universities on the performance of academic spin-offs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 153-173, January.
    9. Chen, Kaihua & Zhang, Chao & Feng, Ze & Zhang, Yi & Ning, Lutao, 2022. "Technology transfer systems and modes of national research institutes: evidence from the Chinese academy of sciences," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    10. James A. Cunningham & Matthias Menter & Chris Young, 2017. "A review of qualitative case methods trends and themes used in technology transfer research," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 923-956, August.
    11. Lavoie, Joao Ricardo & Daim, Tugrul, 2020. "Towards the assessment of technology transfer capabilities: An action research-enhanced HDM model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    12. Svenja Jarchow & Andrea Röhm, 2019. "Patent-based investment funds: from invention to innovation," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 404-433, April.
    13. Marco Ferretti & Salvatore Ferri & Raffaele Fiorentino & Adele Parmentola & Alessandro Sapio, 2020. "What drives the growth of academic spin-offs? Matching academics, universities, and non-research organizations," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 137-163, March.
    14. Qian Wang & Luqun Xie & Di Zhu, 2024. "Educational level of researchers in spin-out R&D units and external technology acquisition: The higher, the more?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 236-261, February.
    15. Niccolò Ghio & Massimiliano Guerini & Erik Lehmann & Cristina Rossi-Lamastra, 2015. "The emergence of the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 1-18, January.
    16. Marco Corsino & Paola Giuri & Salvatore Torrisi, 2019. "Technology spin-offs: teamwork, autonomy, and the exploitation of business opportunities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(5), pages 1603-1637, October.

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