Methodology to map University Spin-Offs across the European Union

This report proposes a consistent and robust methodology for identifying and comparing university spin-offs across European countries. The conceptual framework relies on observable ownership links, notably equity-based, between universities and spin-offs. The methodology was tested in Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia, countries with diverse legal and organisational contexts. The methodology has proven to compare university spin-off across the European Union irrespective of the national laws for academia to spin-off their ventures. A comparison the three case studies reveal that the number of spinoffs created is lower than expected with regard to the country’s R&D capacity and scientific output, manifesting a considerable untaped potential for innovative startups in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.