University start-ups for breaking lock-ins of the Brazilian economy

Brazilian universities were created initially with a teaching mission, later incorporating research activities along with the implementation of graduate programs. Recently, new public policies supporting the innovation process have been implemented to encourage universities to assume a more active role and expand their relationship with the productive sector commercializing the results of their research activities. The purpose of this paper is to describe and better understand the features of the Brazilian university system and the specific ways in which these three missions emerged as a function of the different phases of development that Brazil has experienced. Special emphasis is given to the incorporation of the third mission, under their traditional and advanced forms.