Innovation Ecosystems and the Entrepreneurial University: Technology Transfer Models and Economic Growth Effects (Kosovo Case Study)

Entrepreneurial universities increasingly function as institutional coordinators in innovation ecosystems by reducing commercialisation frictions through governance, intellectual property (IP) support, and industry linkage capacity. This study examines Kosovo as a small and emerging economy where ecosystem constraints—limited commercialisation infrastructure, weak research–industry interfaces, and fragmented entrepreneurship pipelines—may amplify the marginal returns of university technology transfer capacity. The paper develops an indicator-based framework to operationalise technology transfer office (TTO) activity as a composite index capturing IP support, partnership throughput, mentorship intensity, and pipeline governance. Using an internally consistent demonstrative dataset to illustrate a replicable analytic workflow, the study evaluates descriptive associations between TTO activity, university spinout formation, and a growth proxy. Results indicate strong alignment between higher TTO activity and increased spinout formation (Figure 1; Table 1). To support present versus near-future comparisons, the paper incorporates macroeconomic benchmarks: Kosovo’s real GDP growth reached 4.4% in 2024 and is expected to be 3.8% in both 2025 and 2026, while the IMF reports 2025 projected growth of 3.9% (Figure 2; Table 2). The paper concludes with a scalable entrepreneurial university model and a KPI dashboard suitable for ecosystem governance in transitional economies.