University of Twente Student Theses
From lab coats to CEO chairs : the dynamics of university spin-off teams
Koenis, Robin (2025) From lab coats to CEO chairs : the dynamics of university spin-off teams.
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| Abstract: | University spin-offs (USOs) play an important role in turning academic research into useful innovations and supporting regional economic growth. Still, many USOs face challenges in their development due to a lack of business experience and a strong focus on technical skills. Although earlier research has looked at the importance of team composition, there is limited knowledge about how these teams should change as the company grows. This thesis explores how the composition of USO teams evolves from the founding phase to the phase of sustainable returns, using the development model by Vohora et al. (2004). To do this, I conducted ten semi-structured interviews with founders and key people from Dutch USOs, supported by background research on team structures and academic experience. The data was analyzed using the Gioia method. The results show that USOs often start with research-driven teams, which limits their ability to commercialize early on. Over time, successful teams bring in people with business, management, and market experience. External support from TTOs, incubators, and investors also plays a role in this process. This study offers practical insights for USO founders and support organizations on how team development can better match the company’s growth stage. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106097 |
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