Technology-based SMEs in the Goteborg region:: Their origin and interaction with universities and large firms

This paper investigates the local origins and continued regional interaction of a group of new technology-intensive Goteborg SMEs. The results are based on an original survey of 52 such firms. It finds that these Goteborg SMEs were almost exclusively established as spin-offs by founders who were previously working for another local firm or university. Local links and relationships - especially with the previous employer and with Chalmers University - were initially important for their development. With time, however, the importance of such links has tended to decline, and instead wider national relationships are becoming more important.