22 Feb 2025
By juditova

Corporate Accelerators: Do They Really Help Startups or Just Serve Big Businesses?

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
Corporate accelerators have become an integral part of the startup ecosystem, offering resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. However, the real question remains: do corporate accelerators genuinely benefit startups, or are they primarily designed to serve the interests of established corporations? Andrea Lo Verso (2022) provides an empirical analysis of how corporate accelerators impact startup performance, specifically differentiating between vertical and horizontal corporate accelerators. This article analyses corporate accelerators and their effect on startup performance, making it relevant for both founders and corporate strategists​. This post represents a series of articles related to a research and dissertation called “Are corporate accelerators springboards for…
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22 Feb 2025
By juditova

Do Founders’ Skills Matter in Startup Accelerators? How Education and Experience Affect Success

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
Startup accelerators have become a driving force in entrepreneurship, offering promising ventures a structured pathway to refine their business models, secure funding, and establish industry connections. However, do all startups benefit equally from accelerator programs? This question is central to the study presented in this blog post, which examines how founders’ education and experience influence their ability to leverage accelerator programs effectively. The findings reveal a striking contrast: while higher education enhances both innovation and social performance, prior entrepreneurial and industry experience do not necessarily lead to better outcomes. These insights challenge conventional wisdom and suggest that knowledge acquired through formal education plays a more crucial…
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15 Feb 2025
By juditova

How Corporate Startup Accelerators Shape Business Growth: What Founders Need to Know

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
Corporate accelerators (CAs) have become a crucial component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing startups with access to industry expertise, mentorship, and financial resources. This post, based on a study called "Corporate accelerators: design and startup performance" written by Nikolaus Seitz, Erik E. Lehmann and Patrick Haslanger, offers a comprehensive analysis of the design and performance of corporate accelerators, examining how different program structures impact startup success. This blog explores the core findings of the study, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and key design factors that shape the effectiveness of corporate accelerators. The article dives into corporate accelerator structures, their benefits, and trade-offs…
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10 Feb 2025
By juditova

The Best Startup Accelerators: What Program Design Factors Lead to Success?

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
Startup accelerators have become a crucial component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing early-stage ventures with funding, mentorship, and access to valuable networks. However, not all accelerator programs deliver the same level of success. Recent research by Assenova and Amit (2024) analyzes 8,580 startups from 408 accelerator programs in 176 countries to determine how program design impacts startup performance. This study reveals that while accelerators generally improve startup outcomes, their effectiveness varies significantly based on their cohort composition, industry focus, and educational structure. In this article, we break down the findings and explore which factors contribute to startup success after acceleration. The study examines how accelerator design impacts startup performance, helping founders choose the…
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09 Feb 2025
By juditova

Are Startup Accelerators a Booster or a Trap? The Truth About Their Impact on Funding

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
Startup accelerators have become a critical component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. However, the impact of these programs on startups' success varies widely. The study by Hallen, Cohen, and Park (2022) explores whether accelerators help startups secure high-status investors or if some programs fail to provide meaningful benefits. The researchers analyzed two datasets of U.S. startups and found that while some accelerators act as “status springboards”, others may not significantly impact startups' ability to raise funds or gain credibility. The study sheds light on how different accelerators influence startups and whether their participation truly enhances their social standing among investors.…
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08 Feb 2025
By juditova

Do Startup Incubators and Accelerators Actually Work? Lessons from Nanotech Ventures

Management, Startup Accelerators, , , ,
In the fast-paced world of startups, founders often seek support from incubators and accelerators. But how do these programs impact a company's success? A recent study by Woolley and MacGregor (2022) explores this question, focusing on the nanotechnology industry. This blog post breaks down their findings, offering insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. The study compares different startup incubation and acceleration models and their effect on nanotechnology startups. This post represents a series of articles related to a research and dissertation called "Are corporate accelerators springboards for startups: a performance analysis of the Microsoft’s and Google’s accelerated startups". Difference Between Incubators and Accelerators [2] Incubators and…
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01 Dec 2024
By juditova

Startup Accelerators: Are corporate accelerators springboards for startups?

Management, Startup Accelerators,
So, what are Startup Accelerators? Startup accelerators have emerged as transformative entities within entrepreneurial ecosystems, offering early-stage ventures a structured pathway to accelerate their growth. These short-term, cohort-based programs provide startups with critical resources, including mentorship, seed funding, networking opportunities, and access to technical expertise. Unlike traditional business incubators, accelerators focus on fostering rapid development and preparing startups for significant milestones such as securing investment or entering new markets. Since the launch of the first accelerator, Y Combinator, in 2005, thousands of accelerators have been established worldwide, catering to various industries and entrepreneurial stages. Their role as innovation intermediaries highlights…
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