Different innovation policies for different types of innovative companies? Social implications

The literature on innovation and entrepreneurship policy has yet to deepen its analysis of Young Innovative Companies (YICs). To fill this gap in the literature, the aim of this study was to provide empirical evidence of the special features of YICs versus the full scope of innovative firms, within the context of innovation policy and social entrepreneurship. We carried out an initial diagnosis of the features that enable access to public innovation programs in the field of innovative companies. This study of innovative firms was then contrasted with analysis of samples comprising YICs. The results of this comparison show that YICs access innovation policies by virtue of their status as innovative firms and not because of their own specific features.