Motivations and contextual factors in the creation of academic spin-offs: evidence from the Argentine case

This work investigates the motivations that underlie the decision by scientists in the public academic system to create a spin-off. Although personal reasons are fundamental, the decision-making process is also influenced by factors, both push and pull in nature, that are external to the scientist but that characterise the context within which the founder decides. This work then sets out the objective of addressing both aspects at the same time, motivations and context factors. To do so, 11 cases of ASOs created in Argentina were selected, with different ages and belonging to sectors such as agriculture-livestock and food that are relevant to the country. Among the main findings, the following stand out: the identification of four categories of motivations; the identification of a push factor characteristic of the chosen context; and four categories of pull factors that are deployed both on a macro level and on a more micro and relational level.