Technology-based firms contribute to dynamic competition, ensure product variety, close market gaps and promote job creation. The reader documents research of Fraunhofer-ISI on technology-based firms and their environment and aims at a better understanding of specific chances and risks in the development process of such firms.

Introduction: Technology-Based Firms in the Innovation Process: Object of Theory and Research.- I. The Management of Technology-Based Firms.- Development Problems of Small Technology-Based Firms and Ways of Overcoming Them.- Marketing in New Technology-Based Firms.- Crises of New Technology-Based Firms.- Consulting for New Technology-Based Firms.- II. The Financing of Technology-Based Firms.- The Promotion of New Technology-Based Firms in Germany.- The Financing of New Technology-Based Firms.- The Venture Capital Market in Germany.- III. Regional Networks for Technology-Based Firms.- Innovative Regional Development Concepts and Technology-Based Firms.- Innovation Networks for Small Enterprises.- Technology and Incubator Centres as an Instrument of Regional Economic Promotion.- Methods for Ascertaining Firms’ Needs for Innovation Services.- The Adaptation of German Experiences to Building Up Innovation Networks in Central and Eastern Europe.- List of Authors.

Technology-based firms contribute to dynamic competition, ensure product variety, close market gaps and promote job creation. Their development is impeded by a difficult access to capital, high R&D costs and management deficits. The book analyses their chances and risks in the innovation process. Topics deal with the management of technology-based firms, different aspects on their financing, the spectrum of public promotion programmes and the venture capital market in Germany. Finally, the book centres on regional technology and economic promotion and the creation of regional networks for technology-based firms. The reader documents research of Fraunhofer-ISI on technology-based firms and their environment and aims at a better understanding of specific chances and risks in the development process of such firms.