Developing the support infrastructure of technology transfer offices to accommodate the needs of global spinoff companies (outline of a methodology applied within the GlobalStart project)

Abstract

Universities can play an important role in rejuvenating the economic texture of a region by engaging in entrepreneurial activities. Stimulating the formation of spinoff companies can be seen as an important transfer mechanism in this respect. Spinoff companies originating from universities translate new scientific knowledge into economic activity. A majority of these spinoffs are focused and knowledge-intensive ventures confronted with the necessity to operate on a global market from their inception onwards. Such 'born globals' need specific capabilities in order to deploy market activities in an effective way. In this paper, we examine how a university Technology Transfer Office (TTO) can develop the necessary expertise to support the needs of knowledge-intensive spinoffs, taking into account the characteristics of the present regional and national innovation infrastructure. Building on the experience of several European universities participating in the GlobalStart initiative, an integrated approach is developed that aims to foster the support infrastructure needed to accommodate the specific needs of such knowledge-intensive spinoff companies.