This study is concerned with trends in and key features of policies and programmes used by governments to support innovation in the business sector. In addition to identifying good practices across a range of programme types, it compares business innovation policies across several countries, with a particular focus on Canada.

Executive summary
Chapter 1. Business innovation policies: Findings and policy conclusions
-Key trends in business innovation policies
-The changing rationale for policy
-Key policy instruments supporting business innovation
-Considerations on the policy mix
-Strengthening evaluation
-Canada’s policy mix for innovation
Chapter 2. Public support for business R&D
-Direct support for R&D
-R&D tax credits
Chapter 3. Non R&D-based public support for business innovation
-Policy rationales
-Allocating direct support
-Examples of financial support for start-ups, technology-oriented and fast-growth businesses
-Examples of support for researchers and innovative entrepreneurs to start their own business
-Support to knowledge transfer through technology-related collaboration and networks
-Support for the creation of innovation hubs and centres of excellence
-Examples of technology incubators
Chapter 4. Demand-side policies to support innovation: Trends and challenges
-Evidence and policy trends
-Public procurement
-Innovation-oriented regulations and standards
-Lead markets
-Conclusions
Chapter 5. Evaluating public support for innovation in business: Methodologies and metrics
-Introduction
-Standard methodological challenges to policy evaluation
-Steps in undertaking an evaluation
-Examples of evaluations of different forms of innovation support
-Evaluating demand-side programmes and policies
-Evaluation of policy systems
-Selected policy lessons