Title: Spin-off creation behaviour of universities and research institutions: an initial approach for nanotechnology

Authors: Maria Chachamidou, Stergios Logothetidis

Addresses: Laboratory for Thin Films-Nanosystems and Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece. ' Laboratory for Thin Films-Nanosystems and Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece

Abstract: Years to come will be crucial for each nation worldwide since they have to find the way to benefit from the Nanotechnology revolution that will have a huge impact in industry, economy, etc. The path from Research and Development (R&D) to commercialisation is vital since the proper exploitation of Nanotechnology offers opportunities to generate new products and services that will change people|s lives. Nanotechnology is mostly developed in R&D Laboratories in Universities, Research Institutes (URI) that form the major sources of Spin-offs. This paper explores the commercialisation behaviour of URI through Spin-off creation. Data from URI of certain European countries are analysed and the role of public funding in accelerating Spin-off creation is also presented. An approach of how this commercialisation channel applies for the case of Nanotechnology is examined and lessons are derived for the URIs in countries that are in their initial steps of technology commercialisation.

Keywords: spin-offs; academic entrepreneurship; technology transfer; commercialisation; nanotechnology; universities; technology exploitation; public funding; research institutions; R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2008.021036

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2008 Vol.7 No.4, pp.384 - 397

Published online: 31 Oct 2008 *

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