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Journal of Finance Vol. 60 No. 2 2005

Entrepreneurial Spawning: Public Corporations and the Genesis of New Ventures, 1986 to 1999

Paul A. Gompers; Josh Lerner; David Scharfstein1

1 National Bureau of Economic Research

Abstract

We examine two views of the creation of venture‐backed start‐ups, or “entrepreneurial spawning.” In one, young firms prepare employees for entrepreneurship, educating them about the process, and exposing them to relevant networks. In the other, individuals become entrepreneurs when large bureaucratic employers do not fund their ideas. Controlling for firm size, patents, and industry, the most prolific spawners are originally venture‐backed companies located in Silicon Valley and Massachusetts. Undiversified firms spawn more firms. Silicon Valley, Massachusetts, and originally venture‐backed firms typically spawn firms only peripherally related to their core businesses. Overall, entrepreneurial learning and networks appear important in creating venture‐backed firms.

DOI
10.1111/j.1540-6261.2005.00740.x
Volume
60
Issue
2
Pages
577-614
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref openalex

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