Over the years, scholarly interest in the role of business models to unlock the value of latent technology has increased. It is argued that the commercialisation of new technology requires business models that respond to a myriad of challenges and market needs. However, limited attention has been paid to understand how early-stage business models are developed to commercialise new university technology. Specifically, there are limited studies scrutinising the early-stage business models developed by University Spin-Offs (USOs), despite the fact that these are breeding grounds for new technology with commercial potential. Therefore, this thesis examines how USOs develop early-stage business models to commercialise new technology for the cleantech industry. To achieve this, an in-depth case study of four cleantech USOs at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom was performed. Sixty interviews with multiple stakeholders were conducted, and effectual logic and the concept of opportunity creation were adopted to inform the investigation. The findings, presented in a conceptual framework, suggest that USOs develop early-stage business models through three interlocking mechanisms. First, value is created through flow-field control, which is achieved by taking active control over a firm's resources and capabilities. Second, value is captured through pragmatic kinesis, defined as being sensible when moving towards profit. Third, value network is managed through deliberate temperament, which is used to align stakeholders' expectations. Along with these findings, the thesis also advances COPE principles (i.e. take control, create opportunities, forge partnerships and embrace contingencies) as parameters for the development of early-stage business models. The empirical evidence offers a critical logical shift in our understanding of early-stage business models development for commercialising university technology in the cleantech industry. The conceptual framework responds to scholarly inquiries to improve the theoretical grounding and construct clarity of business models. The thesis also informs policymakers about the pitfalls and opportunities associated with new technology commercialisation in the cleantech industry, where uncertainties are ubiquitous.

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The potential for private sector healthcare business in Africa has been forecasted to reach $35 billion by 2016, with South Africa being regarded as the most industrially advanced country on the continent. South Africa’s entry to modern biotechnology is fairly recent, though, with companies in the private sector still in a developmental phase, and most having limited bioproduct ranges. While considerable research has been conducted in the past to attempt to define the biotechnology environment of South Africa, as yet, a concise overview is lacking. In particular, a synopsis of the biomedical or commercial health technology environment has not been forthcoming for entrepreneurs to refer to as a ‘roadmap’. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive study on the attributes that should be met for a successful, sustainable health technology venture (HTV) to be started in South Africa; while identifying the opportunities and threats that have existed in the South African market; thereby, affecting their success and sustainability to date. In this study, two phases of research were conducted. The first was a small-sampled mixed-methods (both qualitative and quantitative) study involving 21 medical devices, biogenerics, diagnostics, and contract services companies. The second was a quantitative study, involving 107 vaccines, biogenerics, therapeutics, nutraceuticals, reagents, diagnostics, medical devices, biotools, contract services and public services companies. Inferential statistical tests were conducted on the data, including Pearson’s Chi-Square, ANOVA, bivariate correlation, linear regression, logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression. From the study, the overall proportion of business sustainability for HTVs was found to be 66.7%, and at least 30% were unsustainable (or not yet at a level of sustainability). Variations were observed in the overall rate of sustainability for companies, based on their core functional classification, location, production type, size and start-up or R&D spending. By converting the observed frequencies of activity level, as an indication of sustainability, into a probability, it was possible to observe the company type that was most, and least likely to succeed in South Africa. Based on the statistical observations in this study, the HTV type most likely to succeed in South Africa, with a 63.7% probability of reaching sustainability, is a ‘vaccines’, ‘biotools’ or ‘public services’ company from Johannesburg with at least 20 employees; that has developed its goods or services internally, but manufactured externally and spent between R20 million–and–R30 million on its R&D or start-up. Conversely, least likely to succeed (3.2% probability) is a nutraceutical company from Cape Town with between six and 20 employees, that has developed and produced internally, and which has spent between R1 million–and–R10million on its start-up. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M.Sc (Life Sciences)

Thema der Ausgabe 2(2015): Medizin und Technik Implantate und Organe aus dem 3D-Drucker? S.12 Protonentherapie in Dresden macht Hoffnung S. 16/17 Medizin und Technik Zelltransplantation – Lichtblick für Patienten S.21

Thema der Ausgabe 1(2016): Werkstoffe der Zukunft Materialkompetenz und Spitzenforschung S. 4 Neu: Carbonbeton für den Leichtbau S. 14 Intelligente Produkte durch smart materials S. 24

Thema der Ausgabe 2(2016): Leuchtturm Biotechnologie Organische Sensoren für die Diagnostik S. 5 Hefezellen – maßgeschneidert S. 6 HyPep für neue Lebensmittel S. 17

Thema der Ausgabe 3(2016): Sprungbrett Informationstechnik Das Know-how steckt in Ihren Daten 10/11 Eine Erfolgsgeschichte: Big Data in Sachsen 12 Dem Papier in die Struktur geschaut 20

Thema der Ausgabe 1(2017): Wir leben Transfer

Thema der Ausgabe 1(2003): Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik Photonik / Mikrosystemtechnik S. 4-6 Datensimulation / Datenmanagement S. 7-9, 13-14, 18, 21 Elektronische Sprachverarbeitung S. 10, 20 Wissenschaftliche Dienstleistungen S. 12, 15, 22 Kooperation in Netzwerken S. 16-17

Thema der Ausgabe 1(2004): Wissenschaftliche und technische Dienstleistungen Weil das Lernen nie aufhört S. 4, 8, 10 Wir stellen vor: Das Media Design Center S. 9 Gebündelte Kompetenzen: Serviceangebote der GWT S. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 High-Tech-Service, den Sie nutzen sollten S. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 21, 22 Transnationale Kooperation in Sachsen S. 23