This paper explores the characteristics of intellectual capital, competitiveness and industrial policies of innovation-intensive sectors in Serbia. It consists of four parts. The first part presents the characteristics of intellectual capital as the basis of economic growth and competitiveness. The second part analyses the characteristics of national intellectual capital and competitiveness of individual countries in the global economy, while the third part of the paper discusses the competitiveness of the Serbian economy and gives recommendations for a new growth model. The fourth part of the paper is concerned with analysis of the characteristics of intellectual capital and industrial policies of innovation-intensive companies in Serbia, presenting also the results of the research study. The paper proposes that the new growth model of the domestic economy should be based on advanced industrial production and services with a high degree of added value, as well as the application of new economic policies, which should be based on a heterodox approach. It is also concluded that the level of development of intellectual capital of the analyzed companies is at a relatively high level, their structural capital is relatively developed, and the surveyed companies have an excellent reputation. Finally, it is concluded that further development of innovation-intensive sectors implies the application of appropriate industrial policies specific for containing the elements of both vertical and horizontal policies which should focus on encouraging development and innovation.