Title: Entrepreneurial learning in academic spin-offs: a business model perspective

Authors: Stefan A. Sanz-Velasco, Rognvaldur Saemundsson

Addresses: School of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Vera Sandbergs Alle 8, SE-412 96 Goteborg, Sweden. ' Reykjavik University, Ofanleiti 2, 103 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Abstract: This paper investigates how academic entrepreneurs learn to develop their start-up ventures into viable businesses, and how the environment influences this learning. Inexperienced academic entrepreneurs likely need to adjust their business conceptions before these become viable. These adjustments and the associated learning are captured in an innovative way by following the changes in business models of eight Nordic academic spin-offs in both supportive and less supportive environments. The results help entrepreneurs and policy-makers to identify which learning behaviours may lead to essential business model changes, and should clarify the complementary role of learning through experience and through external relations.

Keywords: entrepreneurial learning; academic spin-offs; business models; learning behaviour; environment; academic entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2008.018609

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.1, pp.15 - 35

Published online: 01 Jun 2008 *

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