There are several forms of start-up incubators and technology transfer organizations that have emerged including technoparks, business accelerators located within universities, and venture capital funds. Successful examples can be found in many countries around the world. Two major differences between models are whether organizations incubate companies that spin-out of existing research centers or cluster companies in a new location from scratch, and whether they leverage existing industrial clusters or aim to create new clusters. Effective organizations focus on supporting technological learning for companies rather than just innovation and aim to develop local competence while also connecting firms to outside opportunities.

1. Session 2: Start-ups, incubators and technology transfer: lessons learned from previous experiences Rigas ARVANITIS , IRD

11. Thank you !