The influence of government subsidies and risk capital on survival of university spin-offs: findings from 16 early stage case studies

Scholar research seems to confirm that the type of funding of a university spin-off venture influences these survival chances. This study aims to investigate whether the basic type of funding used for young university spin-offs influences the survival chances. The reasoning is that screening by a previously independent party such as government agencies, business angels or venture capitalists provides additional evidence on the potential of a project or venture. The preliminary results, based on 16 case studies with Belgian university spin-offs, seem to confirm that successful application for government subsidies for the development of a technology, product or business increases the likelihood of venture survival. On the other hand, access to risk capital seems not to positively influence survival chances.