Award Abstract # 0849963
Doctoral Dissertation Research in DRMS: Is All Money the Same? Funding Innovation in Young Firms

NSF Org: SES
Division of Social and Economic Sciences
Recipient: THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: February 13, 2009
Latest Amendment Date: February 13, 2009
Award Number: 0849963
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Jonathan Leland
SES
 Division of Social and Economic Sciences
SBE
 Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Start Date: March 1, 2009
End Date: June 30, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $8,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $8,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2009 = $8,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Riitta Katila (Principal Investigator)
    rkatila@stanford.edu
  • Emily Cox (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Stanford University
450 JANE STANFORD WAY
STANFORD
CA  US  94305-2004
(650)723-2300
Sponsor Congressional District: 16
Primary Place of Performance: Stanford University
450 JANE STANFORD WAY
STANFORD
CA  US  94305-2004
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
16
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): HJD6G4D6TJY5
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Decision, Risk & Mgmt Sci
Primary Program Source: 01000910DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 9179, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 132100
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.075

ABSTRACT

Innovation is critical to the success of many young firms. Venture capital is, in turn, critical if young firms are to innovate. What is not well understood is what type of venture funding best promotes innovation. In this Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant, the co PI addresses this question by first constructing a novel longitudinal dataset on 230 U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical device startups founded between 1986 and 2007 and then comparing the impact of four types of investors (government agencies, venture capitalists, corporate venture capital groups, and angel investors) on innovation among these firms.
The proposed research will make several novel theoretical contributions. First, it explores how young organizations can best select and manage relationships with investors. This approach is in contrast to current research that emphasizes ways in which organizations can mitigate their dependence on external resource providers. A second contribution will be an exploration of how external resources, as opposed to internally generated R&D funds, impact firm innovation. Third, this research considers both the benefits and perils associated with forming relationships to acquire financial resources.
Findings will have direct applicability to entrepreneurs making decisions about when and from whom to take funding in order to promote innovation. This research has implications for public policy regarding the public funding of innovation, and about incentives for private investment in innovation. It will illuminate how aspects of investment relationships- including timing of investment, and combinations of public and private funds, can be utilized to promote innovation in young firms.

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