David Heller

David Heller is an Assistant Professor for Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Innovation at the School of Management, Politecnico di Milano. He is also an Affiliated Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research) since October 2024 and an Academic Coordinator for the Innovation School at the Norwegian School of Economics. His research integrates innovation economics, corporate finance, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on innovation finance and SME finance.

• Ph.D. in Economics (summa cum laude), Goethe University Frankfurt
• M.Sc. in International Economics and Economic Policy, Goethe University Frankfurt
• B.A. in Foreign Trade and International Management, HAW Hamburg

Heller's scholarly contributions examine the intersection of intellectual property and debt financing, particularly for small and medium enterprises. His work on generative AI and startup productivity reveals how technological experience and human capital interact to create competitive advantages.

Heller has received multiple awards, including the European Investment Fund Best Paper Award 2025, Giorgio Pagliarani Best Paper Award 2024, and the Erasmus Scholarship 2010. His research has been presented at major conferences across Europe, North America, and Asia.

He has supervised 23 Bachelor and 4 Master theeses and taught courses ranging from Ph.D.-level Advanced Microeconomic Theory to undergraduate Economics of Innovation. Heller is actively involved in the Innovation Growth Lab research network and collaborates with institutions like the European Patent Office and Deutsche Bundesbank.