Policies in support of high-growth innovative enterprises : Part 1: Characterisation of innovative high-growth firms

This report provides key findings of a study, carried out by a consortium led by empirica (Bonn) for DG Research & Innovation (DG RTD) of the European Commission under the Capacities part of the Work Programme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The study produced two policy briefs. One was on the characterisation of High-Growth Innovative Enterprises (HGIE). The other was on policy measures to improve the conditions for the growth of innovative enterprises and draws as well on the findings of a dedicated expert workshop organised in September 2013 in Brussels. Part 1 of the report covers the content of the first policy brief. It looks at the following questions: what are the characteristics of innovative high growth firms, what are the factors and barriers for their growth and is there a difference between European companies and companies in other world regions? The document provides an insight into the specificities of innovative high-growth firms in 4 EU countries (France, Germany, Poland, UK) and in 4 non-EU countries (Switzerland, USA, Japan and Korea). The analysis is based on data from a specific survey of HGIE carried out for the study, and on statistical data from international and national sources.