Research team

Study in the context of the week of the transfer of a business 01/10/2023 - 31/12/2023

Abstract

The research project consists of four parts and the formulation of policy recommendations: a study of entrepreneurs over the age of 55 (part 1), a study of pre-start-ups and recently started companies (part 2), a study of growing and fast-growing companies (part 3) and a study of the differences within sectors and provinces and the impact of crises (part 4). First of all, it should be possible to compare the results of the new research project with the results of the studies previously carried out in 2019. Part 1 of the study investigates whether entrepreneurs today are more aware of the problems of Succession and Takeover, whether they are better informed and whether they made use of the guidance options offered. The aim of the study is also to obtain a more detailed picture of the steps that managers or managing directors from the age of 56 are taking today to tackle the problem of Succession and Transfer within their company and their environment. Part 2 of the study examines the extent to which pre-starters consider taking over a business instead of starting a completely new activity. In the case of the target group of recently started entrepreneurs (up to a maximum of 3 years after the start), it is investigated why they have or have not considered taking over an existing company and why they have or have not taken over a company. Part 3 of the study examines the extent to which acquisitions are considered by growing and fast-growing companies. High (or ambitious) growth companies are defined as companies with at least 10 employees that can boast a growth rate of at least 20% per year in the last 3 years (OECD, 2007). Part 4 of the study asks for an examination of the differences between provinces and between sectors in terms of business transfers. It also calls for an examination of the impact of the various crises that have taken place in recent years on the intentions and results of business transfers. The data collection in the 3 parts will be based on an online survey among a large sample of companies in Flanders. Based on the findings in each section, concrete policy recommendations will be formulated in the policy areas of economy, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project

From research to commercialisation in an entrepreneurial university: Development of pre-incubation structures for the University of Antwerp 01/01/2018 - 30/06/2019

Abstract

The outspoken ambition of the University of Antwerp to create value for society is translated in this project to the ambition to become an entrepreneurial university. In order to achieve this ambition the University of Antwerp is committed to reinforce the different actors within the university in their endeavours to translate their research results, knowledge and expertise to society as a whole. There is a clear need for the development and offering of state-of-the-art pre-incubation services at the University of Antwerp. A pre-incubator offers a protecting environment in which entrepreneurial ideas can be tested on their market potential. The ambition of the University of Antwerp to create value for society as an entrepreneurial university can only be achieved through its unceasing support of its commercialisation processes of research knowledge and expertise, while safeguarding its basic values of academic fundamental research. To close the gap between scientific research output on the one hand and sustainable commercialisation on the other hand, and the survival of the so-called 'valley of death', pre-incubation facilities, like insights in opportunity and market potential detection and IP knowledge, should be installed or reinforced to allow researchers to test and evaluate the commercial potential of their research output in a protecting environment. Moreover, the TRL levels will be increased indirectly, which is a pre-requisite of support programs for scientific research (eg. Horizon 2020, VLAIO,…). An increase of the TRL level equally leads to lowering the threshold for business and industry (and related investors) as such reinforcing the commercialisation potential of the research. This project aims to develop five pilot pre-incubation structures for target disciplines (sustainable chemistry, logistics, health, product development and social innovation). These pilot cases were selected based on the 'Beleidsvisie 2016-2020' and the research spearheads of the University of Antwerp. In the deployment of the pilot cases special attention will be paid to the clear fit with the existing incubation and techtransfer activities of the University of Antwerp. In the same line of reasoning the pre-incubation structures will be embedded in the entrepreneurial ecosystems of the five targeted disciplines. Addressing the needs and barriers of the researchers is a central point of attention. The short term result is a minimum viable product for pre-incubation services for the targeted disciplines. At the same time, our results will provide a blueprint for the development of pre-incubation services for other disciplines in the long term. By safeguarding the embeddedness of pre-incubation structures and optimal fit with existing initiatives within the University of Antwerp as well as with its entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders a leverage is created to society as a whole.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project