Research Article
An Exploratory Case Study on the Growth Process and Success Factors in the Research Based Spin-offs: i-SENS
1 Kwangwoon University
Published: January 2009 · Vol. 13, No. 1 · pp. 55-78
Full Text
Abstract
This study is to look into the spin-offs which was incorporated based on the technology developed by public research institute, but underwent difficulties confronted during the development stages focused on the growth process and the factors contributed to their success. The case study was conducted with i-Sense Co., Ltd. which is a ventures organized by professors as a form of research based spin-off. i-Sense Co., Ltd. is a new-technology based ventures to produce self-tester for blood sugar level which was incorporated by Prof. Cha, Keun-sik and Prof. Nam, Hak-hyun of Department of Chemistry in Kwangwoon University along with the graduate course students of the Research Laboratory of the University. The two professors operated the Chemical Sensor Research Center at the Kwangwoon University where they produced many preliminary research outputs related with bio-sensors. They also executed the service works at the specialized company they established for research development to make research fund. They established i-Sense Co., Ltd. with the aim to carry out the research they want to. But contrary to the initial intention of the founders of the company, i-Sense Co., Ltd. has grown up as manufacturing company which produces and sells the self-tester for blood sugar level and is expected to be listed by Initial Public Offering(IPO) on the KOSDAQ in 2009. This study is to analyze the foundation and the growth process of i-Sense Co., Ltd. as successful research based spin-offs, to find out the factors contributed to their success by enabling them to overcome the difficulties experienced during the growth process, and eventually to provide with suggestive meanings in policy and practical point of view that leaded the research based spin-offs to success.
