Risk and Innovation : The Role and Importance of Small, High-Tech Companies in the U. S. Economy

Risk & Innovation -- Copyright -- Preface -- Contents -- RISK & INNOVATION -- 1 Executive Summary -- INTRODUCTION -- THE ROLES OF TECHNOLOGICAL START-UPS AND SMALL INNOVATIVE COMPANIES IN THE U.S. ECONOMY -- OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED COMPANIES -- HOW GOVERNMENTS CAN NURTURE SMALL COMPANIES AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATORS -- 2 Introduction -- THE STUDY APPROACH -- DEFINITIONS AND POLICY QUESTIONS -- THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT -- 3 The Roles of Technological Start-Ups and Small Innovative Companies in the U.S. Economy -- COMPARING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED COMPANIES -- Advanced Displays and Visual Systems -- Implantable and Surgical Medical Devices -- Software -- Environmental Testing Services -- Network Services and Access Devices -- Outdoor Sporting Goods -- Summary Comparison -- CONCLUSIONS -- 4 Opportunities for Small Technology-Oriented Companies -- HOW THE MARKET DETERMINES OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS -- Fragmented, Technically Dynamic, and Rapidly Growing Markets -- Low Barriers to Entry -- An Adequate Technical and Business Infrastructure -- Good Access To Potential Customers -- Availability of Financing -- A Culture (Recent History) of Entrepreneurship -- Characteristic Risks -- THE LARGE-COMPANY ROLE -- THE IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHY -- Regional Sources of Entrepreneurs and Ideas -- Factors Affecting the Start-ups in a Region -- Factors Affecting the Ability of a Company to Grow in a Region -- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS -- 5 How Governments Can Nurture Small Companies and Technological Innovators -- FEDERAL POLICIES: SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE -- FEDERAL POLICIES: TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES -- FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT SMALL HIGH-TECH COMPANIES -- STATE AND REGIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS -- THE NATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT -- UNINTENDED EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT POLICYMAKING.