Policies towards technology-based companies in a regional context

Centres of excellence (CoEs) can arise from a regional cluster of technology-oriented enterprises, but also from a cluster of research institutes and innovation-supportive service institutions such as technology parks and information and advisory agencies. Strengthening of the regional innovation and technology base can take place when the Centres-of-excellence are embedded in a regional network, so that other firms and institutions are also able to participate in the regional research and technology potential. In this paper the thesis is put forward that it is not sufficient to use CoEs as an regional technology policy instrument without additional measures. CoEs can only contribute to strengthening the regional innoationn potential if the scientific and technological capacities of firms located in the region are increased, or if the founding of technology-based firms is suported. One precondition for the formulation of appropriate promotion measures is knowledge of the regional entre preuririal and technology potential.