Innovation Protection Strategies in Entrepreneurial Ventures: The Case of Genopole

This research focuses on the innovation protection strategies of biotechnology start-ups. Unlike large companies, start-ups adopt specific strategies that often combine formal and informal protection mechanisms, influenced by the stages of their entrepreneurial development. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications since 1998, which reveals that the protection of innovation in start-ups, particularly in connection with open innovation, remains a marginal area of research. Based on this analysis, we carried out an exploratory qualitative study with entrepreneurs incubated at Genopole, a biocluster supporting the development of biotechnologies. This research aims to enhance understanding of innovation protection mechanisms throughout the entrepreneurial process (ideation, R&D, commercialization, industrialization). The objective is to identify actions that will enable intellectual property (IP) or other protection mechanisms to be better integrated into the management of innovation projects of start-ups with a perspective of openness. This identification will lead to recommendations for project managers and accompanying structures in the management of IP and its exploitation according to the progress of the projects and their characteristics.