Development Of Academic Entrepreneurship Research Articles

Commercialization of R&D and opportunities for the development of academic entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan

The transition to an innovative economy requires greater attention to creating favorable conditions for the commercialization of scientists’ developments and the possibility of realizing the accumulated scientific potential. This study aimed to examine the commercialization process in the Republic of Kazakhstan and identify factors influencing the development of academic entrepreneurship in universities. It examines a gradual change in legislation on technology transfer and the dynamics of implemented commercialization projects during 2016–2022. Structured interviews were conducted with academics of the biggest 14 universities in Kazakhstan with a sample of 209 respondents to identify factors influencing the desire of scientists to engage in academic entrepreneurship. The findings revealed that the most attractive factors for academics are flexible working hours (4.67 of 5), the opportunity to implement their own innovative ideas (4.12), and an increase in income (3.63). In turn, negative factors include the lack of qualified personnel (4.56), difficulties in legislation (4.27), and bureaucratic barriers (3.78). The study revealed that gender and age moderately affected scholars’ desire to engage in academic entrepreneurship (Cramer’s V = 0.3025). The greatest desire to start their own business was demonstrated by men aged 26-35 years and by women aged 36-45 years. The findings also show that the scientific fields positively affect the number of ready-made ideas, patents, and technologies that academics offer to businesses. AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP13268750).

Development of academic entrepreneurship in an innovative economy: factors and motivation

Object: Study of issues of entrepreneurial activity motivation among university scientists and identification of factors influencing academic entrepreneurship.Methods: The study uses the methods of system analysis, comparative analysis, grouping method, content analysis, analysis of literature.Findings: The article considers the main factors that influence university scientists when they make a decision on academic entrepreneurship. The types of activities that can be attributed to academic entrepreneurship are identified: the implementation of funded projects, the foundation of start-ups, licensing, etc. An analysis of the studies conducted in the field of motivation of academic entrepreneurs made it possible to identify groups of main factors, as well as the strength of their influence on the motivation of scientists. Among the personal motives most often in Western research scientists highlight the desire to continue research, create innovative products, scientific interest in their field of study.Conclusions: The creation of an innovative infrastructure and legislation in the field of intellectual property protection and technology transfer largely determines the possibilities for the development of academic entrepreneurship in the country. Scientists involved in the commercialization of scientific developments become an example (mentor) for younger colleagues, which makes it possible to involve young, qualified specialists in academic entrepreneurship. The presence of professional connections and the opportunity to communicate with business representatives greatly facilitates the receipt of funding for the implementation of results, makes small innovative enterprises more successful in the market. Despite the small percentage of academic entrepreneurs in universities, most scientists maintain contacts with the business community, which, under favorable conditions, can develop into entrepreneurial activity.

Academic entrepreneurship system in the Russian Federation

Aim. The presented study aims to investigate the features of the academic entrepreneurship system in the Russian Federation through the example of leading Russian universities and to determine the main prospects for its development.Tasks. The author defines the theoretical foundations of the academic entrepreneurship system; examines the legal and regulatory framework of academic entrepreneurship; comparatively analyzes the entrepreneurial activity of leading Russian universities; determines the prospects and trends of the development of the academic entrepreneurship system in Russia.Methods. This study uses general scientific methods, including comparison, generalization, benchmarking, abstraction, deduction, and induction.Results. The theoretical foundations of academic entrepreneurship are investigated, and the author’s original definition of the term is formulated. The regulatory and legal framework of university entrepreneurship through the regulation of small innovative enterprises established at universities is examined. The level of academic entrepreneurship in leading Russian universities at the level of desk research is analyzed. Major directions for the development of the academic entrepreneurship system in Russia are determined.Conclusions. The system of academic entrepreneurship is implemented through the combined efforts of educational organizations and representatives of the business community to simplify the commercialization of the results of innovative activity. The legal and regulatory framework of academic entrepreneurship in Russia is underdeveloped considering the needs of the modern economy. The main legal acts regulating the activities of small innovative enterprises are federal laws, regulations of the Government of the Russian Federation, and the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. University entrepreneurship in domestic higher education institutions continues to develop. A peculiar feature of the existing system is the desire to create an innovative infrastructure within the university and to stimulate entrepreneurial activity among the teaching staff and students. The prospects for the development of academic entrepreneurship in Russia are associated with the development of innovative university infrastructure and increased interaction with manufacturing organizations.

Entrepreneurship and universities: a place of academic business incubators

Abstract The article examines the issues of entrepreneurship support through the development of academic (university) business incubators. The experience of foreign universities in supporting entrepreneurship of students, graduates and university staff has been studied. The mechanism of creation of an academic business incubator within the limits of realization of the program on assistance to creation of a steady network of business incubators in Zaporizhzhia region is considered. Trends in the development of academic entrepreneurship based on of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University in the conditions of quarantine restrictions are determined. The use of incubators and accelerators as institutions to promote the development of new business enterprises has grown worldwide in recent years. There is a significant increase in the number of (academic) university business incubators, which are incubators located in universities and closely integrated with the activities of universities for the development and dissemination of knowledge. The universities and the education system must create an enabling environment for young people to develop their thinking as an employee and an employer. It is necessary to prepare students and teachers to improve entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to create jobs. Keywords: entrepreneurship, university, academic business incubator, entrepreneurial skills, training

From Lab to Market: Challenges Faced By Academic Entrepreneur in Technology Transfer Pursuit

The development of academic entrepreneurship is often benchmarked by the rate of patenting, licensing and spin-offs creation. However, these traditional indicators inherently require a long gestation period to materialize, thus creating a challenge to gauge the progress of novice universities. This paper preliminarily assesses the nature of academic entrepreneurship from a developing economy perspective and explore common challenges faced by academic entrepreneurs in bringing research discoveries from lab to market. Survey questionnaires were distributed to academic entrepreneurs of a public university in Malaysia and a series of answers to an open-ended question were analysed through content analysis. Although the results showed the rate of patents, licensing and start-up creations are modest, however, most of the scientists have made significant progress to the pre-commercialization stage by developing prototypes with commercial potential. The content analysis revealed that scientists’ entrepreneurial characteristics and institutional support were among the main factors that affect the commercialization of research discoveries. These findings suggest for the relevant authority to take improvement measures to enhance the efficiency of Technology Transfer Office and for the private funders and government disbursing agencies to provide more transparency in decision criteria and to reduce the period of application process and approval results. Avenues for future research are recommended based on the findings derived from this single case study.

Развитие академического технологического предпринимательства в России

Technology entrepreneurs play a critical role in modern models of economic growth. At the same time, the features and development trajectories of technological entrepreneurship and gazelle firms in Russia differ from countries with mature market economies. The purpose of the article is to assess the state of academic technology entrepreneurship in Russian universities and to develop recommendations for its development. The methods of two-dimensional classification of universities according to two indicators of technological entrepreneurship development, correlation analysis, assessment of intergroup differences according to the Mann-Whitney U-criterion, qualitative analysis of entrepreneurial ecosystems in universities, methods of constructing algorithms were used. As a result, it was found that the number of start-ups and the likelihood of receiving commercial funding are practically not correlated. There is a group of universities that are not among the largest metropolitan universities, but have a high proportion of entrepreneurial projects that have successfully passed the seed stage and received commercial funding (business angel, venture fund). These top performing universities are distinguished not only by their innovative infrastructure, but also by a wide variety of community centers. Taking into account the results obtained an algorithm for the development of academic technological entrepreneurship on the basis of the university as an innovation hub has been developed. Its important elements are: pre-active marketing of scientific research groundwork, development of the social capital of the ecosystem, and collaboration practices. The results may be of interest to technology entrepreneurs themselves, as well as to universities interested in the development of academic entrepreneurship.

Investment Strategies and Tools of Foreign and Russian Universities

In the context of the increasing competitiveness of the scientific and educational environment, the emergence of parallel educational systems, and the instability of budgetary spending on education and science, university administrators are faced with the task of finding a balance between the commercial and academic needs of universities. For Russian universities, the issues of diversifying financing and increasing investment activity are of particular relevance. This issue is crucial for entrepreneurial universities, which face the acute problem of resource provision for scientific and engineering problems. This encourages universities focused on applied problem-oriented research and commercialization of results to expand and diversify their funding sources, including through the implementation of new investment strategies.This study aimed to analyze the volumes and models of foreign universities’ investment activities and assess the prospects for reproducing such investment practices in Russian universities.It is shown that leading foreign universities successfully combines scientific, educational, and innovative activities with investment while using a wide range of tools and professional management companies. In the last decade (2011–2020), they have been seen as participants in mergers and acquisitions, the objects of which are most often university startups. As a result, universities have high incomes, new strategic partners, and the geography of investors is expanding. It is noted that most domestic university endowment funds have insufficient funds for investment activities, which makes it expedient to create a University Fund Fund as a new financial instrument for the development of academic entrepreneurship in the country’s regions.

University Impact on Regional Development in the Context of Smart Specialisation

Regional development on the basis of smart specialisation entails the involvement of stakeholders in innovation processes such as business, public organisations, local government and academic sectors. Universities are the drivers of a region’s development because they have a broad research base. Using the methodology of the Joint Research Centre (European Commission), the impact of Sumy National Agrarian University on the development of the Sumy Region was assessed by such criteria as its cooperation with stakeholders, innovative infrastructure of the university, development of academic entrepreneurship, and its role in developing the region. The method of collecting qualitative data involved conducting structured interviews with the university administration and relevant departments. The collected data were analysed by content analysis. As a result of testing the methodology, its high level of applicability was noted in the Ukrainian academic space, outside the EU. It is recommended to use the method of assessing the impact of the university on the development of the region during the entrepreneurial discovery process, which follows the definition of priorities for the development of the region in the context of smart specialisation. The recommendations were given on the revival of cooperation with stakeholders, possible ways of developing academic entrepreneurship and building innovation infrastructure. The results of the research presented in this article may be used in university promotion within the region and the country as well in the context of smart specialisation. Policy makers may use the research results in order to provide regional innovation policy.

Strategic Approaches to Activating Academic Entrepreneurship in Modern Mega-Universities: Prospects for Ukraine

Introduction. Currently, R&D activity is the main in all the top universities in the world because it is focused on the acquisition of new knowledge, while educational is only on the use of acquired knowledge. However, in Ukraine, the trend of academic entrepreneurship development has not yet taken on proper significance. Problem Statement. The implementation of the idea of intensifying the innovation-investment movement in Ukrainian universities involves upgrading the existing innovation-oriented infrastructure and developing an effective plan of action for those universities in which material and technical and intellectual foundation till have a well-preserved. Purpose. formulate strategic approaches to the commercialization of research products in modern mega-universities, which generally involves the intensification of research activities in the context of international academic entrepreneurship education as an imperative for the development of a high-tech, export-oriented and socially responsible model of economy. Materials and Methods. The methods of economic (in particular PEST- and SWOT-analyzes) and logic-structural analysis, methods of comparison, synthesis, forecasting, theoretical generalization, as well as economicstatistical methods of analysis of actual data are used. Results. A result of this initiative is to formulate recommendations and steps to increase the non-budgetary sources of funding for university research and innovation activities in Ukraine, in particular by raising the profitability of intellectual property and the creation of small innovative enterprises. Conclusions. The results obtained will allow us to formulate strategic principles in the development of a new methodological paradigm for the commercialization of the results of intellectual work in universities, taking into account the development trends of the world and the features of national science.

Strategic Approaches to Activating Academic Entrepreneurship in Modern Mega-Universities: Prospects for Ukraine

Introduction. Currently, R&D activity is the main in all the top universities in the world because it is focused on the acquisition of new knowledge, while educational is only on the use of acquired knowledge. However, in Ukraine, the trend of academic entrepreneurship development has not yet taken on proper significance. Problem Statement. The implementation of the idea of intensifying the innovation-investment movement in Ukrainian universities involves upgrading the existing innovation-oriented infrastructure and developing an effective plan of action for those universities in which material and technical and intellectual foundation till have a well-preserved. Purpose. formulate strategic approaches to the commercialization of research products in modern mega-universities, which generally involves the intensification of research activities in the context of international academic entrepreneurship education as an imperative for the development of a high-tech, export-oriented and socially responsible model of economy. Materials and Methods. The methods of economic (in particular PEST- and SWOT-analyzes) and logic-structural analysis, methods of comparison, synthesis, forecasting, theoretical generalization, as well as economicstatistical methods of analysis of actual data are used. Results. A result of this initiative is to formulate recommendations and steps to increase the non-budgetary sources of funding for university research and innovation activities in Ukraine, in particular by raising the profitability of intellectual property and the creation of small innovative enterprises. Conclusions. The results obtained will allow us to formulate strategic principles in the development of a new methodological paradigm for the commercialization of the results of intellectual work in universities, taking into account the development trends of the world and the features of national science.

Analysis on the Development Trends and Differences of Scientific Research in Different Types of Universities

In order to explore the differences in the academic research and academic entrepreneurship development models of different types of colleges, this paper obtained the longitudinal analysis data of 113 “211 and provincial-column-constructed colleges and universities” in China from 2007 to 2016, using repeated measurement analysis of variance to test the differences. Differences in academic research and academic entrepreneurship growth models are among universities with research strength, discipline structure, and regional types. The results show that: 1) There are significant differences in the academic research and academic entrepreneurship development levels of universities at different points in time, but overall they show a significant growth trend. 2) Colleges with higher academic research development level are universities with strong scientific research strength, comprehensive and technological universities with diversified disciplinary structures, and colleges with higher regional economic development level, while colleges with a faster rate of academic research growth have a general research strength. Agricultural, forestry and medical universities with a single discipline structure, and western and northeastern regions had low levels of economic development but supported by national policies. 3) The development level of academic entrepreneurship and academic research shows similar rules, but only the average scientific research strength, the diversified discipline structure, and the low level of regional economic development show a higher academic entrepreneurship growth rate. This article enriches the dynamic research of scientific research activities in colleges and universities, and provides a reference basis for the policy and long-term strategy formulation of colleges and governments.

Chasing Phantoms? Innovation policy, higher education and the pursuit of a knowledge economy in Hong Kong

ABSTRACTThis paper provides a critical account of the role of universities in the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.To do so, the paper examines the political economy of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development. It outlines a finance-led regime, under which the vision of long-term innovation initiatives is transformed into short-term finance events, and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in society and in universities is neglected. The paper also suggests that the current research funding system and the rise of managerialism in the higher education sector restrict the development of academic entrepreneurship, though universities play a significant role in the innovation system. The paper closes by examining the recent changes in higher education policy and governance, the intensification of integration with mainland China and their implications for prospects of advocating a culture of innovation and promoting innovation and technology in Hong Kong.

Fraktalne właściwości akademickich inkubatorów przedsiębiorczości (AIP)

Purpose – The main purpose of operating Academic Entrepreneurship Incubators (AIP) was to organize an innovative network of entrepreneurship incubators at universities across Poland. As a result of the activities undertaken by the AIP Foundation, the first in Poland and the largest in Europe network of institutions providing support on the basis of pre-incubation and incubation of business ideas was established. The main purpose of the publication is to discuss the essence of Academic Entrepreneurship Incubators (AIP), fractals and fractal organization and presenting selected aspects of the functioning of Academic Entrepreneurship Incubators (AIP) as an institutional form of academic entrepreneurship development in Poland on the principles of a fractal organization.Research method – The article uses the national literature about the given topic, as well as source data, the results of which were presented in the form of maps and drawings.Results – Academic Entrepreneurship Incubators (AIP) operate on the principles of a fractal organization. Originality /value – On the basis of the conducted research it was shown that Academic Enterprise Incubators (AIP) have fractal properties and function on the principles of a fractal organization.

Entrepreneurship Determinants among the Students of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin in the Light of the Conducted Research

Purpose – The goal of this article is to present results of the research conducted among the students of the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin with regard to factors stimulating their entrepreneurship or constituting a barrier in that area. The research covered one of the dimensions of entrepreneurship, i.e. the conducting of one’s own business. Design/Methodology/Approach – The following questions were asked as a part of the research procedure: 1) What is the entrepreneurial activity level of the MCSU students? 2) What factors motivate them to start their businesses? 3) What factors discourage them from managing their firms? The sample-based study method was applied; because of that, it was necessary to get the empirical material from individuals belonging to a representative research sample. Students from all MCSU departments participated in the research. Data were collected in 2014–2016 with the use of a categorized interview questionnaire on 1,219 respondents selected at random. Thanks to the information contained in the metrics, it was possible to divide participants in the research on the basis of the following criteria: sex, study degree, field of studies, degree of financial dependency on third parties, business experience of parents or caretakers. The statistical materiality of differences in participants’ declarations was determined with the use of the chi-square test and derivative measures such as V-Cramer, T-Czuprow or Yule coefficients. An analysis of the structural similarity index had a supporting significance in that area. Findings – Levels of entrepreneurial activity among the MCSU students were analysed. Factors stimulating and discouraging them from being entrepreneurs were identified. Materiality of these factors was also determined for the entire research sample and for distinguished groups of respondents. The dependence of the entrepreneurship levels among students on their participation in individual groups was analysed. Practical implications – Results obtained in this manner and conclusions drawn from this research will allow one to work out an end-to-end program of academic entrepreneurship development aimed at the development of entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours among students and graduates as well as the promotion of entrepreneurial culture in academic circles. Original value – The originality of the analysis results from the specific nature of the research conducted. It was the first time when the entrepreneurship research covered students of all MCSU faculties. The exploration took place in groups distinguished from the research sample, which allowed for a greater integrity of analyses. The obtained results constitute a stimulus to continue the research with the use of focus groups. The final goal of the research will consist of an original training curriculum relating to academic entrepreneurship. Article type – Research paper.

Academic Entrepreneurship in Post-transition Country—Case Study of Croatia

Entering the European Union, Croatian universities have become a part of the big European market and society. Croatia as one of the newest EU members has been facing many challenges, and one of them has been the development of the higher education sector. In this paper, we aim to explore the possibilities for academic entrepreneurship in Croatia and investigate the barriers which hinder university-industry collaboration. The study adopted the qualitative case study approach, and it was conducted through in-depth interviews with respondents from the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at the University of Split. Research results indicate that Croatia is only beginning to develop its academic entrepreneurship, having only a short history of entrepreneurship education at all levels of education. Furthermore, supporting institutions for university-industry collaboration, such as the surveyed TTO, were established only in the last decade and most of the potential partners from academia and industry are still not familiar with different possibilities of the collaboration. Our study also shows that specific contextual factors, such as high bureaucracy and administrative barriers, act as inhibiting factors to further development of academic entrepreneurship.

Development of academic entrepreneurship in a non-mature context: the role of the university as a hub-organisation

This paper focuses on how the evolving roles of a university and its Technology Transfer Office (TTO) are stimulating academic entrepreneurship in a non-mature entrepreneurial ecosystem. A more mature entrepreneurial ecosystem was built gradually by these actors through their progressive creation of innovation intermediaries and coordination among the local players involved in the creation of start-ups. We analyse how the university became a hub organisation. We use the case of the University of Strasbourg to show that the university contributed to the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by acting as a boundary spanner and by building and orchestrating the network of the stakeholders in the local system of innovation. This ‘hub’ university became a leading regional organisation at the political level. The TTO played a central role in supporting academic entrepreneurship at the operational level based on its evolution from a revenue maximising model to a model that takes account of social and economic regional development. The progressive adoption of a more selective model of start-up creation requires good coordination among the local actors. Over time, the TTO’s boundary spanning function increased to encompass the development of operational network building and orchestrating functions.

Academic Business Incubators as an institutional form of academic entrepreneurship development in Poland

The Academic Business Incubators are a significant investment in the development of academic entrepreneurship in Poland. They put the emphasis especially on local development. They are the driving force and a source of motivation to take up new challenges for young people. They allow ambitious people to combine their theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies with practical knowledge. Thanks to the Academic Entrepreneurship Incubators, young people become professionals in their actions. Their acquired skills, knowledge, physical, moral and mental characteristics are an excellent basis for the development of their business. The aim of the paper is to discuss the essence of academic entrepreneurship and present issues of the Academic Business Incubators functioning as an institutional form of academic entrepreneurship development in Poland. The research methodology is an analysis of the literature of the subject within the scope of academic entrepreneurship and analysis of documentation on the practical aspects of the Academic Business Incubators in Poland.

Innovation activity of scientists as a factor in the development of academic entrepreneurship in Russia

The development of academic entrepreneurship as a way of transfer of innovation is an urgent task. One of the main factors in the development of academic entrepreneurship is innovation-oriented staff of higher education institutions. Insufficient attention of the scientific literature to importance of this factor is thwarting progress of various forms of academic entrepreneurship. In connection with this proposed study is aimed at determining the degree of scientific innovation activity influence on the development of academic entrepreneurship in Russia. Academic entrepreneurship in Russia has been chosen as the object of study. Analysis of the basic research in the field of academic entrepreneurship for the period of 2011-2016 years was used to achieve this goal. Analysis of publications was revealed that the innovative activity of the teaching staff of universities is a critical factor in the development of academic entrepreneurship. However, Russian scientists are characterized by low innovation activity, resulting in academic entrepreneurship in Russia is weak. The researchers suggest the following solutions to eliminate or minimize the effects of this problem: full awareness and moral training of the scientists involved in the innovation process of higher education institutions; profit payment; creating a psychological climate that will affect the scientific process of self-realization; continuous training of employees involved in the innovation process of higher education institutions; the creation of conditions that will contribute to the manifestation of creative activity of scientists; provide greater confidence to young scientists, graduate students and undergraduates; providing moral and material encouragement of initiatives, experimentation and creativity of scientific and pedagogical staff; the allocation of free time for scientists to research and search activities and others. The data obtained can be used by the guidance of Russian universities to enhance innovation activity of the teaching staff of universities.

Innovation activity of scientists as a factor in the development of academic entrepreneurship in Russia

The development of academic entrepreneurship as a way of transfer of innovation is an urgent task. One of the main factors in the development of academic entrepreneurship is innovation-oriented staff of higher education institutions. Insufficient attention of the scientific literature to importance of this factor is thwarting progress of various forms of academic entrepreneurship. In connection with this proposed study is aimed at determining the degree of scientific innovation activity influence on the development of academic entrepreneurship in Russia. Academic entrepreneurship in Russia has been chosen as the object of study. Analysis of the basic research in the field of academic entrepreneurship for the period of 2011-2016 years was used to achieve this goal. Analysis of publications was revealed that the innovative activity of the teaching staff of universities is a critical factor in the development of academic entrepreneurship. However, Russian scientists are characterized by low innovation activity, resulting in academic entrepreneurship in Russia is weak. The researchers suggest the following solutions to eliminate or minimize the effects of this problem: full awareness and moral training of the scientists involved in the innovation process of higher education institutions; profit payment; creating a psychological climate that will affect the scientific process of self-realization; continuous training of employees involved in the innovation process of higher education institutions; the creation of conditions that will contribute to the manifestation of creative activity of scientists; provide greater confidence to young scientists, graduate students and undergraduates; providing moral and material encouragement of initiatives, experimentation and creativity of scientific and pedagogical staff; the allocation of free time for scientists to research and search activities and others. The data obtained can be used by the guidance of Russian universities to enhance innovation activity of the teaching staff of universities.

Visibility and Reputation of New Entrepreneurial Projects from Academia: the Role of Start-Up Competitions

Academic spin-offs, i.e., new venture projects backed by one or more researchers, are attracting increasing attention by researchers and policy makers as an effective way to increase the rate of technology transfer from Public Research Organizations (PROs) to the business environment. With the aim of supporting technology transfer processes, in the last years, many universities have carry out specific policies and a wide range of programs addressed to the development of academic entrepreneurship. Among these, the organization of a start-up competition is rather popular. But, how effective do such activities result, in particular the start-up competitions, in supporting academic researchers toward entrepreneurship? Are these kinds of initiatives able to raise the level of the reputation of academic entrepreneurial projects? If so, would such social capital have any real impact on the entrepreneurial development of academic spin-off? Is this social capital able to improve the spin-off’s ability to gain access to and acquire an initial stock of resources? Our exploratory research, following the emerging paradigm of the Quadruple-Helix Model, takes into consideration the mediating role of Media players in building visibility and reputation of nascent entrepreneurial projects from academia. The study that we performed is based on the results of web citations of business projects that won at least one prize awarded by an academic start-up competition. We consider the 2013 edition of the Italian universities business plan competitions (PNI), and we tried to measure the visibility and the reputation effect experienced by winners of local and national steps of the business plan competition. Implications of the study might be that investing in start-up competition is a useful mechanism to gain in visibility and might be useful as an ignition mechanism to start a positive entrepreneurship discourse about academic spin-offs among stakeholders that control access to valuable resources for them.