Lecture on Aquisitions of start-ups from Central Europe as open innovation source for MNCs

Professor Dr. Sonia Ferencikova
School of Management Bratislava, Slovakia


Bio: 

Dr. Ferencikova holds degrees in economics and international business from the University of Economics Bratislava, Slovakia. Except for home institution she has lectured as Visiting Professor at top universities in USA, Australia, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, and other European countries.  Her research is focused on FDI in Central and Eastern Europe, and doing business in the region, especially with focus on HR and innovation. Her numerous publications on these subjects include more than seventy journal articles, case studies and research papers published in Europe and USA as well as fourteen books and more than twenty co-­authored books.

Abstract:

The paper analyses the aquisitions of start-ups from Central Europe that serve as open innovation source for MNCs.  It is based on case study method: we analyse and compare six start-ups from different sectors that were established in Central Europe and proved to be very successful and unique so that they became the acquisition target of big MNCs. At the end of the paper we form the recommendation for start-up founders from Central and Eastern Europe how to create a company that can be valuable and attractive for the leaders on the market.

Key words: open innovation, acquisition, start-ups, Central Europe, MNC