Patterns of Formation and Development of High-Technology Entrepreneurs

New technology-based small companies with roots in the research milieu, especially universities, have attracted much attention in Sweden in recent years. Traditionally, research results from universities have been transferred to industrial organisations and some of the most prominent companies in Sweden have their origins in these technologies. From the early 1980s, however, an increasing number of researchers have been founding companies in an attempt to commercialise their research results (McQueen and Wallmark, 1982; Olofsson, Wahlbin and Tovman, 1987; Olofsson and Wahlbin, 1993; Tesfaye, 1991). In the peak years, 1982–3, the number of new companies with roots in universities was more than twice the number noted in 1980 (Reitberger, 1987). This development is believed to have an important social significance, in terms of technological advancement, industrial rejuvenation and job creation, and society has responded by establishing support mechanisms for these companies. A rich flora of innovation/technical centres — or research parks, as these are sometimes called — have evolved around the host universities. By 1993, sixteen such centres had been established. A major part of these companies are still located in close proximity to the universities of origin.