Abstract

This is a case study on a university’s support for entrepreneurs preparing startups. Previous studies have focused on startups within universities, but this study differs in its focus on support for external entrepreneurs. First, university startup support worked in the form of open innovation for those preparing to start a business. In other words, performance varied depending on the degree to which entrepreneurs accepted the support. Second, this study showed that, unlike previous studies, the process of preparing to start a business is nonlinear. Third, startups are largely divided into small and medium-sized businesses and innovative businesses, and a new hybrid business type was identified through university support. This study shows that university support for startups is not limited to the In-Out model, which uses university knowledge and technology, but an Out-In model is also possible. Additionally, startup support can be added as one of the entrepreneurial university’s activities.