Publication
Spinout Mobility: Why University Spinouts Move and How Regions Can Retain and Attract Them
Published: 18 May 2026
ERC SOTA Review No 69
Associated Themes
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Entrepreneurship -
Management and Leadership -
Productivity and performance
This review explores the spatial behaviour of university spinouts, with a particular focus on why they remain close to their origin or relocate over time. While prior studies have concentrated on their formation and performance, their geographical trajectories remain largely underexamined.
The literature suggests that location choices are shaped by a balance between continued access to university-linked resources and the need to tap into external assets such as investment, skills, and markets. Available evidence points to three recurring patterns: strong initial localisation, selective relocation as firms mature, and uneven regional outcomes, where regions with high retention are not necessarily those with high attraction.
Despite these insights, the empirical base is still limited. There is little longitudinal evidence, weak understanding of individual and firm-level motivations, and insufficient differentiation between types of spinouts. Moreover, the role of regional conditions in supporting both retention and inward mobility remains unclear.
The review highlights the need for a shift in policy emphasis towards supporting later-stage business development, strengthening regional ecosystems, and improving data and classification frameworks to better capture spinout dynamics.
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