Evolutionary models of academic spin-offs establishment - comparison of Catalonia and South-Moravian region

ABSTRACT The transfer of knowledge from universities has received tremendous attention in the scientific literature. This paper contributes to the discussion about the differences in spin-off process in universities, taking different perspective for comparative case study. First, we put a focus on differences in stage-based model of spin-off creation in conditions of university allocated in developed region and dynamically developing region of transitional (post-socialistic) economy. Then we observe different approaches towards spin-off emergence support in case of universities with long- and short-knowledge transfer tradition and different volumes and quality of research output. The results allow us to explain different definitions of spin-off and support mechanisms in spin-off process, while we primarily observe supportive tools of university TLOs in various stages of development of spin-offs. The study delivers practical implications for universities and TLOs that are just setting-up or rethinking the own models of spin-off establishment support.