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The effects of incubation on academic and non-academic high-tech start-ups: evidence from Italy

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  • Massimo G. Colombo
  • Evila Piva
  • Francesco Rentocchini

Abstract

This study aims at empirically investigating whether technology incubators help academic high-tech start-ups to establish collaborations with other organizations, thus increasing the competitiveness of these firms. In doing so, we take into account the specificities of academic high-tech start-ups with respect to their non-academic counterparts. We compare the effects of incubation on academic and non-academic high-tech start-ups through econometric estimates using a large sample of Italian firms. Our findings suggest that incubated academic high-tech start-ups do not enjoy any advantages in establishing collaborations with respect to their non-incubated peers. Conversely, technology incubators do help non-academic high-tech start-ups in establishing collaborations with public research organizations. We thus come to the interesting conclusion that the effects of incubation are moderated by the genetic characteristics of incubated firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo G. Colombo & Evila Piva & Francesco Rentocchini, 2012. "The effects of incubation on academic and non-academic high-tech start-ups: evidence from Italy," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(5-6), pages 505-527, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ecinnt:v:21:y:2012:i:5-6:p:505-527
    DOI: 10.1080/10438599.2012.656524
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    Cited by:

    1. Beck, Mathias & Junge, Martin & Kaiser, Ulrich, 2017. "Public Funding and Corporate Innovation," IZA Discussion Papers 11196, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Miglietta, Angelo & Peirone, Dario, 2013. "Management, Strategy and Policy Suggestions for European Academic Incubators: the Creation of a Start-ups’ Ecosystem in the South West England," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201350, University of Turin.
    3. Massimo G. Colombo & Massimiliano Guerini & Cristina Rossi-Lamastra & Andrea Bonaccorsi, 2022. "The “first match” between high-tech entrepreneurial ventures and universities: the role of founders’ social ties," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 270-306, February.
    4. Mario BENASSI, 2014. "Exploring Incubation Performances and Its Determinants," Departmental Working Papers 2014-09, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at Università degli Studi di Milano.
    5. Grilli, Luca & Marzano, Riccardo, 2023. "Bridges over troubled water: Incubators and start-ups’ alliances," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    6. Aurora Teixeira & Cátia Coimbra, 2014. "The determinants of the internationalization speed of Portuguese university spin-offs: An empirical investigation," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 270-308, September.

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