This book aims at distilling experiences from many successful and not so successful start-up ventures from the Technical University of Denmark, 1988-2008 into practical, portable knowledge that can be used by future knowledge-based entrepreneurs to set up new companies efficiently or to stay away from it; to do what's needed and avoid the pitfalls.The following topics are covered:* Why bother about high-tech companies and entrepreneurs* What does it take to become a successful founder* Opportunity-driven creativity: ideas that sell* Start-up strategies: from idea to business model* Business planning: from vision to practicalities* Economy: budgeting cash flow and capital requirements* Managing a high-tech venture* Financing a high-tech venture* Patent strategies for start-up companies