Title: Spin-offs, stages of growth and funding issues: some UK evidence

Authors: Farid Ullah, Saeed Akbar, Peter Taylor

Addresses: University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool L69 7ZH, UK. ' University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool L69 7ZH, UK. ' University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool L69 7ZH, UK

Abstract: This paper explores funding issues at the early development stages of Technology-Based Small Firms (TBSFs) spun-out from universities, non-university research organisations and parent companies. This paper presents empirical evidence for the UK, derived from an extensive online questionnaire survey. The sample consists of 53 spin-offs representing a subsample of 133 TBSFs. The sample is divided into three subcategories, university, non-university and parent company spin-offs. The results suggest that high technology small firms which have spun-off from other organisations may have particular needs for finance and that these may change as they develop through the early stages of development. The results further suggest that there are funding heterogeneities among university, non-university and parent company spin-offs. This paper presents evidence on these issues and suggests differences in the experience of various types of spin-off TBSFs both in terms of economic performance and financing.

Keywords: technology-based small firms; TBSFs; entrepreneurship; spin-offs; university research; non-university research organisations; parent company; innovation; venture capital; UK; United Kingdom; funding issues; economic performance; growth; financing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2007.014595

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.6, pp.524 - 540

Published online: 17 Jul 2007 *

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