The aim of this research project is to identify factors influencing the formation of innovative start-ups in regional innovation systems. The choice of research topic is dictated by the growing importance of start-ups in stimulating economic competitiveness through the commercialisation of knowledge. Despite a well-developed scientific base, the European Union achieves poor results in the commercialisation of scientific research, which translates into a relatively low level of innovativeness.
The enterprise sector plays a central role in knowledge commercialisation processes. Start-ups are a specific type of innovative enterprise, which shows a greater ability to develop radical innovations compared to mature companies. The level of start-up entrepreneurship is highly regionally differentiated. Knowing the specific regional factors that influence the formation of start-ups would allow one to adapt innovation policy instruments to the specific institutional environment and socio-economic conditions in the region.
The main theoretical axis of the study is based on the concept of Regional Innovation Systems. The study will be based on data on start-ups with high innovation potential in Italy. The specific historical and cultural context of Italy, manifested in significant differences in economic and social development between regions, will allow one to take into account a multiplicity of factors of both a social and economic nature.