The academic spin-off: conceptual delimitations and perspectives for integration into the knowledge-based economy

This study clarifies the academic spin-off construct by systematically identifying and comparing definitions from scholarly and institutional sources. 23 definitions were coded along six dimensions—academic founder, IP/technology transfer, commercialization, formal university involvement, equity participation, and ongoing institutional link—and synthesize patterns across time and institutional contexts. Building on Helix-based innovation system perspectives (including Quadruple and Quintuple Helix views), the analysis explains why definitional emphases shift from formal IP transfer toward more institutionalized support and governance arrangements. Based on the observed convergence and contextual variation, an integrative definition is proposed to support more comparable datasets and more targeted policy and evaluation frameworks.