Do R&D and licensing strategies influence start-ups' growth?
Abstract
The present paper estimates the effects of US start-ups' R&D and licensing strategies on their growth, based on R&D intensity, start-ups' patents and in-licensing and out-licensing activities. To do so, we test a sample of 818 firms included in the Kauffman Foundation Survey, from the high-tech and medium high-tech sectors in the period 2004-2010. We reveal a positive and significant effect of R&D intensity and in-licensing on start-ups' growth. These conclusions are also ratified when controlling the activity sector, which has a major effect on sectors such as high-tech manufacturing industries and high-tech knowledge intensive services.