۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Theoretical background

۳٫ Research methodology

۴٫ Research Results

۵٫ Result discussion and Conclusion

References

Academic spin-offs bring researchers together, foster experience, sharing a creative atmosphere with the purpose of creating new products/services in order to commercialize them. University spin-offs are an important vehicle for knowledge diffusion and economic growth. Despite their importance, little research exists in spin-off performance or impact at national level in Romania, especially from the perspective of academic entrepreneur. In order to understand the spin-off concept, the main focus of this article is to provide a better understanding of the spin-off mechanism and also how can it be facilitated in a regional context. The paper analysis the situation of spin-offs opened through the European Program “Increase of Economic Competitiveness” (۲۰۰۷- ۲۰۱۳) during all the period from the start and till the last available financial dates. In order for Romania to become more competitive it has to improve the activity of the innovative firms, especially spin-offs and start-ups. During 2007-2013 there have been created 120 innovative companies out of which 19 spin-offs and 101 start-ups. But did the EU funds accessed between 2007-2013 had a real impact on the development of this companies? This article analyses and tries to answer this question.

Introduction

The knowledge infrastructure is of the greatest significance because industrial production is based on knowledge: industrial technology is knowledge related to material transformation, which is the center of the national innovation system (Van Geenhuizen et al., 2005). In an economy based on a rapid change, the foundation of innovative firms is the way to commercialize research results. In 2002 in Romania, the Government order no.14/2002, encouraged the process of setting-up science and technology parks, later approved by Law no. 50/2003. In 2004, the National Programme “Development of TT&I Infrastructure – INFRATECH”, approved by GD No.128/2004, also provided financial and logistical support to setup and develop specialized TT&I institutions: TT centers, technological information centers, liaison offices, technological incubators, and science and technology parks. Next, in 2007 the European program, Sectorial Operational Program “Increase of Economic Competitiveness” was launched, in order to stimulate innovation activities, foster entrepreneurship of start-ups and spin-offs, by valorisations of the patented or unpatented R&D results. The target indicator of the program (oriented to supporting high-tech start-ups and spin-offs) established was 50 new companies for 2015.