Technology commercialisation in corporate innovation settings

Abstract

The 21st century global economy is based on knowledge. Thus, innovation has been appraised as one of the most important factors that sways the economy, society and consequently business competitiveness. As a result, the ability to innovate and commercialise new products or services is considered essential for companies to survive and grow. This necessity has led several corporations to create new units focused on innovations and their later commercialisation. This thesis reviews and compares nineteen commercialisation approaches defined by academics throughout the last 40 years and the commercialisation experience of thirteen start-ups to see “what” and “how” corporate innovation units could learn from them. Certainly, the study has shown clear differences between academic and start-up approaches. Furthermore, it has been seen that innovation units of large companies can learn greatly from start-ups´ and entrepreneurs´ commercialisation methods.