The case of academic spin-off companies as technology transfer mechanisms: evidence from two Italian regions

Abstract

In the recent years, universities and research centres at a worldwide level have become increasingly interested in the direct exploitation of research results. The paper focuses on the creation of new companies by academic community members (academic spin-offs) as one of the major mechanisms to effectively spread the scientific and technological knowledge. The paper analyses the cases of two Italian regions (Lombardia and Piemonte) through the direct survey of 38 academic spin-offs, discussing particularly the following aspects: the characteristics of academic spin-offs; the profile and motivations of founders; the problems faced in starting academic spin-offs.