The level of entrepreneurship and commercialization of inventions at universities in the United States varies widely. This study attempts to uncover the factors that may explain the differences in the attitude toward entrepreneurship and commercialization found at academic institutions. To this end nineteen interviews with faculty researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technology transfer officers, and others were conducted. The different perceptions toward entrepreneurship and commercialization at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Harvard Medical School and its associated research hospitals were examined with particular care. A BSTRA CT.