Does the nano-patent ‘Gold rush’ lead to entrepreneurial-driven growth? Some policy lessons from China and Japan

•We compare the patent landscapes of China and Japan in the carbon nano-tubes field.•We relate CNT industry structure of China and Japan with their technology policies.•We analyze intra-industry and university–industry collaborations.•We find that China has adopted an anchor-tenant model of CNT development.•Japan׳s CNT development is more driven by the needs of domestic industry.

In this study we compare the nano-patent landscapes of China and Japan in order to assess how their structures (type, fragmentation and concentration of patent ownership) affect the organization of the nanotechnology industry. We also analyze technology policy in order to assess how these interventions support technology transfer and nano-exploitation through university–industry collaboration and technology entrepreneurship. Drawing upon 20,365 patent families related to carbon nanotubes from 1994 to present, we found that two dissimilar technology policies boosting national innovation system emerged: China is more focused on forging an anchor-tenant model, while Japan exhibits a more industry-oriented model through demand-side policy intervention. Implications for firms׳ strategies and policy makers are discussed.