How can research institutions best support potential and existing spin-off companies?

Abstract

In this paper, several spin-offs from international research institutions are interviewed in order to get insight into how these institutions can best support their potential and current spin-off companies. Using existing theory as a foundation to analyse the interviews, the paper presents several findings. First of all, the paper presents how existing theory is lacking in its ability to explain parts of the spin-off phenomenon. Based on the finding, the paper recommends areas of further research and possible institutional support to better help spin-off companies. The paper also contributes to existing theory in the field, which is generally more concerned with universities, and presents how this differs from the international research institutions in the cases presented.