Knowledge and behavioral spillovers from academic entrepreneurs: Preliminary evidence from the NSF I-corps regional program

Studies of knowledge and behavioral spillovers resulting from entrepreneurial training programs of scientists have ignored how such training may influence: (1) scientists who are “managed” by the trainee; (2) scientific peers of the trainee; (3) other agents and institutions in university innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. In this study, we quantify such spillovers, based on data from a regional NSF I-Corps program, a seven-week experiential training program that prepares researchers to commercialize their inventions. We find limited evidence of spillovers in terms of changes in entrepreneurial identity, technology transfer climate, championing, or entrepreneurial intentions. Our results suggest that the regional I-Corps program may function as a filtering mechanism, helping scientists identify which entrepreneurial ideas are not ready or suitable for commercialization. The program's role in “weeding out” less viable endeavors can be seen as a form of success, as it prevents the unnecessary investment of time and resources into unpromising ventures. Our results have important implications for entrepreneurial support organizations, which may need to provide greater focus on developing entrepreneurial identity.