Abstract: In the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, technological distance is the premise that affects the rational choice of innovation models. In this paper, we use the DEA method to calculate the high-tech industry’s Malmquist index to represent technical distance. Then we choose the nonlinear panel threshold regression model and empirical analysis which could inspect technical distance nonlinear threshold character and study the internal correlation and influence mechanism of independent R&D and collaborative innovation on innovation performance improvement. As the threshold effect of technical distance, the following findings are established: (1) The impact of independent R&D on innovation performance has a triple-threshold relation, the trend is positive and sustaining rise before the third threshold and change to fall after that; (2) The impact of collaborative innovation on innovation performance has a double threshold effect, and the influence trend shows a transition from negative to positive as the technical distance decreases. When the technical distance is high, independent R&D should be the main approach to improve the performance of innovation. As the technology distance shrinks, it will be turned into an innovation model base on independent R&D and supplemented by collaborative innovation to improve the innovation performance in high-tech industries.