High-tech businesses form a crucial part of entrepreneurial activity – in some ways presenting very typical examples of entrepreneurship, yet in some ways representing quite different challenges. The uncertainty in innovation and advanced technology makes it difficult to use conventional economic planning models, and also means that the management skills used in this area must be more responsive to issues of risk, uncertainty and evaluation than in conventional business opportunities. Specifically focusing on the mix of theory and practice needed to accurately inform students, the key topics covered include: uncertainty and innovation entrepreneurial finance marketing technological innovations high-tech incubation management. Including case studies to give practical insights into genuine business examples, this comprehensive book has a distinctly ‘real-world’ focus throughout. Edited by a multi-national team, it draws together leading writers and researchers from across Europe, making it a must-read for all those involved in advanced entrepreneurship with specific interests in high-tech start-ups.

This volume examines the relationships between high-tech entrepreneurship and innovation in an important new technology - mobile payments - in Korea and China, the countries that led the world in the development and diffusion of this technology.

Presents an overview of empirical and conceptual developments in the study of high-tech entrepreneurs from an interdisciplinary and multinational perspective. This book explores various conceptual frameworks and definitions of high-tech entrepreneurs and of the entrepreneurial process based on studies in different settings and contexts.

This book provides actual entrepreneurial stories giving insight into the pitfalls and successes one might find in starting or even continuing with a small high-tech business. Insights into innovative, speculative, and (largely) successful new ventures, as experienced by those who went through the process, are complemented by comments and observations from others in the field including researchers, economists, investors, regional development agencies, technology transfer organizations, and universities.The book is recommended to entrepreneurs in all high technology disciplines and in particular for students and early career professionals. It can be also useful for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in entrepreneurship, which many institutions are currently introducing, and to those who are interested in how a high-tech business might develop.

Written by an experienced business lawyer in the technology, scientific and engineering community, this publication is for the engineer with an innovative high-tech idea or concept who needs those crucial business insights and strategies to move that idea forward. It offers key analysis on how to leave a current employer, gain access to technologie

From conception of a novel idea to the production and marketing of kilowatt-range fuel cells (PEM or proton exchange membrane) and related products achieved in the business venture is what this book is about. The urge to start a business came from the momentum generated through suffering of being laid off from a job and going through the changes from job to job for a few years. Finding an innovative idea for the business, establishing the business, getting funding for the development of the business, making and selling products—these are all steps of entrepreneurship. Some people may be a natural entrepreneur, others may learn from the family tradition, and still others may get it from the inner urgings. Establishing a business in the high-technology area, in particular, starting it from scratch requires proper education, training, strong motivation, and personal drive. It requires a tremendous push from various sources to start a business. Another important motivation for having my own business was to give my family a stable environment for living. I suffered a lot during the period I was looking for a job and was moving from one place to another. I moved from Toronto (Canada) to Texas (USA), Texas to Connecticut, and from there to Arizona, then to California, and back to Texas. Such moving around (and the instability it creates) is not favorable for the dependents and, in particular, to children in their formative ages. If they do not have to move, they would be more secure and stable. It took about fifteen years after my PhD education when I was able to start my own business. Coming from a third-world country was another disadvantage for me—for many things I did or could not do.

In this book David Audretsch examines the impact of public policy in the entrepreneurial society and in ensuring that entrepreneurship continues to serve as a driving force for economic performance. Do university policies or knowledge conditions

Most technology startups never make it to the funding stage, and only a small percentage of those that are venture-backed generate a positive return for their investors. An even smaller number of startup founders enjoy a truly prosperous exit. Bernd Schoner cofounded his tech startup during the dot-com bust, navigated it through market crises and internal turmoil, brought it through the global financial meltdown intact, and eventually sold it to a multibillion-dollar, multinational public technology company. In The Tech Entrepreneur's Survival Guide, Bernd shares what he learned and what he wished he knew at the time. He explains the major phases in a technology company's life cycle, helping entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and survive crises when they strike. He guides readers from the initial bootstrapping process through venture-capital financing and provides valuable advice on how to sell a technology company profitably--even in a challenging economic environment. Every chapter presents solutions to realworld issues that could otherwise have fatal consequences for a tech venture. Aspiring tech entrepreneurs will learn to: Set up shop: build the team, assemble necessary startup assets (including technology and intellectual property), get legal and financial affairs in order Secure capital: ask for money, nail the term sheet, ask for more money Get out: know when to sell, who to sell to, and how to make it a happy exit for all stakeholders, including the employees Written with deep insight, refreshing candor, and a dash of humor, this comprehensive guide to the often harsh realities of startup life is indispensable for entrepreneurs at any stage. PRAISE FOR THE TECH ENTREPRENEUR'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: "A genuine narrative from the field, with battle scars and self-reflection. Reading this book will help you avoid many pitfalls." -- Nicholas Negroponte, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab "There's a lot of great insights and practical advice for the entrepreneur in this book, stuff you normally won't read or hear unless you buy some hard-bitten company founder a few drinks. If you are launching a technology startup, reading this book is the thing you should do first." -- Mark Roberti, founder and editor in chief of RFID Journal "I wish I had read Bernd's book when we founded The Echo Nest. Bernd touches on all the major issues in the initial formation stages of a tech company and many of the problems that come up when the company matures. If you are thinking of founding your own tech startup, read this book first." -- Tristan Jehan, cofounder of The Echo Nest "A visceral, behind-the-scenes guide to technology entrepreneurship. Bernd tells it like it is and presents a universe of solutions to tricky startup situations that can significantly improve the odds of success. Indispensable." -- Larry Begley, cofounder and managing director at .406 Ventures "The best-laid business plans never survive contact with reality. Bernd has provided a comprehensive guide to anticipating the unexpected in the life of a startup." -- Neil Gershenfeld, professor and director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Bits and Atoms