When Do Start-ups Patent Their Inventions? Evidence from a Broad Approach

Patents are no longer merely protective; other factors are becoming prominent in explaining when start-ups patent their inventions. This study uses data from 220 start-ups from different industries to evaluate the role of size, location, collaboration partners and financial means in patenting activity. Our results show a quadratic effect of size on patenting likelihood for start-ups, and patenting level reaches a tipping point for medium-sized...