Startups by Recent University Graduates and their Faculty - Implications for University Entrepreneurship Policy

Abstract

Earlier research on the role of universities in fostering entrepreneurial economic development almost exclusively covers spin-offs by faculty and staff. In contrast, we provide general evidence from the U.S. showing that the gross flow of science and engineering university graduates’ start-ups is at least an order of magnitude larger than faculty spin-offs, that a recent graduate is twice as likely as her Professor to start a business within three years of graduation, and that the graduates’ spin-offs are not of low quality. Three case studies illustrate how universities may stimulate science and engineering students and recent graduates to create new firms of high quality. We conclude that transforming university goals and practices toward increasing start-ups led by faculty might not be the most effective way for universities to stimulate entrepreneurial economic development.

Keywords: academic entrepreneurship, university entrepreneurship policy,

JEL Classification: M13, I28, R58, H52, H72