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Liquidity events and VC-backed academic spin-offs: The role of search alliances

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  • Bruneel, Johan
  • Clarysse, Bart
  • Bobelyn, Annelies
  • Wright, Mike

Abstract

Despite the emergent importance of liquidity events (IPOs and trade sales) as performance indicators for VC-backed academic spin-offs, empirical research on the drivers of liquidity events relating to such spin-offs has been limited. In adopting a search perspective, we analyze how different alliance types impact on VC-backed academic spin-offs’ chances of realizing a liquidity event. We find that market search alliances increase a spin-off's likelihood of a liquidity event, whereas technology search alliances reduce this likelihood. However, the latter effect is mitigated when the spin-off has a founding team with prior market experience. We explore the implications for practice and policy of the development and success of VC-backed academic spin-offs.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruneel, Johan & Clarysse, Bart & Bobelyn, Annelies & Wright, Mike, 2020. "Liquidity events and VC-backed academic spin-offs: The role of search alliances," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(10).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:49:y:2020:i:10:s004873332030113x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2020.104035
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    4. Audretsch, David & Colombelli, Alessandra & Grilli, Luca & Minola, Tommaso & Rasmussen, Einar, 2020. "Innovative start-ups and policy initiatives," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(10).

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