Proposition 1.
(i) There exists a unique value α ∈ (0, 1] such that the optimal level of knowledge investment is KðαÞ ¼ KmðαÞ for all α b α, and KðαÞ ¼ Ks for all α N α. No start-up formation occurs for α b α, while a start-up forms for α N α.
(ii) ∂KðαÞ ∂α b 0 for all α b α, and ∂KðαÞ ∂α ¼ 0 for all α N α.
(iii) For all α, K*(α) b Keff.