Laura Toschi

Laura Toschi is Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management at the University of Bologna's Department of Business Sciences. She serves as Deputy Director of the Executive Master in Technology & Innovation Management at Bologna Business School and President of Almacube, the university's innovation hub. She holds a PhD in Management (2009) and Laurea in Management Engineering (2004, cum Laude) from the University of Bologna, with visiting scholar positions at Boston University, SPRU, University of Queensland, and Queensland University of Technology.

Her research focuses on:

• Environmental and social entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial finance and impact investing
• Sustainability transitions in business ecosystems
• Innovation management and technology transfer
• Venture capital dynamics and corporate venturing

Her scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on technology commercialization mechanisms, university-industry collaboration, and policy impacts on innovation ecosystems. Recent work analyzes gap funding instruments, academic patenting, cleantech development, and gender disparities in technology transfer.

Awards and recognitions:

• ESRC Research Fellowship (2010)
• Best Paper Proceedings at Academy of Management (2008)
• Laurea cum Laude (2004)

She supervises PhD candidates researching disruptive innovation, patent strategies, and venture capital reputation. Leads multiple research projects including Climate KIC initiatives on electric mobility, Horizon 2020's PROGRESS-TT, and cross-national studies on innovation policy. Coordinates AlmaEClub for entrepreneurial skill development and serves on the PhD committee for General Management.