The Impact of Technology-Oriented University Start-Ups on Regional Development: The Case of the Technical University Berlin

Abstract

The emergence of new technology-oriented industries creates opportunities to overcome economic and social problems resulting from the shrinking of traditional heavy industry. For this purpose, a strong presence of research institutions, particularly with technical focus is indispensible because they guarantee technology transfer. Thereby, one of the most relevant channels of technology transfer are entrepreneurship or spin-off activities at research institutions. This article aims at presenting the entrepreneurship support activities of the Technical University Berlin, the largest technical university of the Berlin region. It is furthermore discussing the impact of start-ups deriving from this university on regional development.