Evolving Business Models to Support the Growth of Technology-based Start-up Firms

There is both a commercial and social imperative for innovation-led economic development. The data on inventions shows the importance of cities in the role of creating this important foundation to innovation. The importance of new venture firms in the innovation process of taking inventions to market is widely recognised, and with this recognition the science parks and science cities are working to understand and replicate the social, business and technology environments which are most fertile for these companies. This paper reviews how those with an interest in this process have addressed this challenge with new business practices and planning activities. It draws particularly on the experiences of Tech City in London and the Surrey Research Park