Corporate Accelerator Programs Supporting Startup Success By Fostering Entrepreneurial Networking

Master's Thesis from the year 2017 in the subject Business economics - Company formation, Business Plans, grade: 1.0, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, language: English, abstract: Recent years have seen the rapid emergence of a new format of corporate-startup engagement: the corporate accelerator program. This format aims to support early-stage ventures to overcome their initial challenges, while fostering corporate innovation within established firms. Extant literature has emphasized the importance of networking for entrepreneurs to increase their chances of survival. Accordingly, networking opportunities constitute a major reason for startups to join an accelerator. To date, research on corporate accelerators has remained scarce and left it unclear how networking happens in this context. This thesis sheds light upon why and how startups network within corresponding programs and explores the implications of corporate accelerators on entrepreneurial networking. An inductive, multiple case study of six startups that graduated from different programs in Germany was performed. The results revealed four mechanisms that corporate accelerators provide to foster networking: pitch events, expert mentoring, referrals and physical proximity. These mechanisms were used differently given the participants’ stage of product development and prior network support. Interestingly, an initial exploratory study unveiled two distinct types of corporate accelerators: “innovation vehicle” and “investment vehicle” programs. The type of program appeared to shape the configuration of the four mechanisms and thus the opportunities and possible networking outcomes for participating startups. In general, corporate accelerator programs seem to increase intensity, efficiency and successfulness of startups’ network tie formation. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of corporate accelerators and contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial networking. It further provides valuable insights for program operators and potential startup participants.

Accelerators can be powerful tools to build and transform businesses in a short period of time, which is why they have spread like wildfire in the corporate world. Designing the Successful Corporate Accelerator gives readers the tools to design, create, and manage successful corporate accelerators that achieve results time and time again. Authors Jules Miller and Jeremy Kagan are seasoned professionals in this space, and combine global market research, interviews with accelerator leaders, and their own experience launching and running accelerators to share what works—and what doesn’t. The first half of the book takes a broader look at corporate innovation as a whole and how accelerators fit in, then the second half offers practical advice for how to launch, run, and manage world-class accelerator programs. Perfect for executives, employees, founders, investors, intrapreneurs, and entrepreneurs, Designing the Successful Corporate Accelerator is a practical guidebook for anyone with a passion for corporate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Corporate Accelerators sind Organisationen zur zeitlich begrenzten Unterstützung von Startups, die von etablierten Unternehmen betrieben werden. Sie imitieren das Model von unabhängigen Accelerators, verfolgen jedoch nicht zwangsläufig das Ziel finanziellen Zugewinns, sondern auch strategische Ziele. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat das Ziel, spezifische Förderpraktiken dieser Programme sowie deren Effekt auf den Startup-Erfolg zu untersuchen. Die Studienergebnisse identifizieren Corporate Accelerator-spezifische Praktiken, die einen positiven Einfluss auf den Startup-Erfolg haben. Die Ergebnisse zeigen zudem, dass die Unterstützung je nach Motiv des etablierten Unternehmens (symbolisch vs. substantiell) variiert. Die resultierenden Ergebnisse liefern relevante Implikationen sind für etablierte Unternehmen, Corporate Accelerator Manager und Startups. Corporate accelerators are intermediary organizations implemented by incumbent firms to support startups with various resources over a short period of time. Although they are built upon the model of independent accelerators, corporate accelerators do not necessarily aim for financial benefits but for strategic objectives. This thesis examines how corporate accelerators support participating startups and how this support impacts subsequent startups’ success based on qualitative and quantitative data. The findings of the study identify corporate accelerator-specific practices that positively influence the success of startups. Further the findings indicate that the extent of support varies, as incumbents initiate the programs as a result of substantive and/or symbolic motives. The findings therefore provide relevant implications for incumbents, corporate accelerator managers and startups.

The must – read guidebook for entrepreneurs looking to get into accelerator programs and to build and scale their startups with speed Accelerator programs have become one of the most powerful and valuable resources for entrepreneurs seeking to learn rapidly, build powerful networks, raise capital, build their startups and do this at speed and scale. In recent years, the number of accelerator programs around the world has grown at an incredible rate, propelling startups such as AirBnB, Uber, DropBox, Reddit, and others — many to billion-dollar valuations. The number of accelerators, the differences in accelerator program offerings and the unique benefits and costs of different accelerator locations makes choosing the right accelerator a challenge. Selecting the wrong accelerator, failing to be accepted in the right one, or not fully taking advantage of all the accelerator has to offer can be costly, sometimes fatal. With the stakes so high, entrepreneurs need to understand all their options, choose carefully and do the right things to maximize their chances of success. Startup Accelerators is the go to guide for any entrepreneur, providing a firsthand look into the acceptance criteria and inner workings of different accelerator programs. Written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, this indispensable resource explains what different accelerator programs offer, how to get accepted, what to do during the program, how to raise money during accelerators, what to do after the program ends, and much more. Packed with real-world case studies and advice from leading experts on startup accelerator programs, this one-stop resource provides step-by-step guidance on the entire accelerator process. Reveals how accelerators help founders navigate different challenges in the startup journey Describes the differences in the benefits and costs of different accelerator programs Explains how to prepare accelerator applications Discloses what actions to take during an accelerator to make the most of it Depicts case studies of entrepreneurs’ accelerator applications, experiences and outcomes across different accelerators Features interviews with accelerator program managers, founders who went through accelerators, and investors in companies going through or having gone through accelerators Includes insightful data and reflections from entrepreneurship education researchers and academics Startup Accelerators: A Field Guide will prove to be invaluable for startup founders considering or going through accelerators, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, and other startup accelerator stakeholders.

Accelerators are a rapidly growing new form of organization that aim to stimulate entrepreneurship through intensive, limited-period educational programs, including mentoring and networking for the cohort of start-up participants selected for each program, to improve their ability to attract investment at the end of the program. Drawing on novel evidence from across the world, this is the first book to provide rigorous analysis of the nature and effectiveness of accelerators that will be invaluable for researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs.

Cultivate your entrepreneurial spirit with insights from startup to success. This book offers practical advice and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, covering the journey from initial idea to thriving business.

Technology Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation analyzes business incubators worldwide through a series of empirical and theoretical papers. The authors examine the extent to which business incubators are influential in situations such as nurturing young technology firms, increasing success of new firms, and in developing an ecosystem around these successes. Also examined is the relationship between business incubators and their resource providers, including venture capitalist firms and government agencies. Edited by Phillip Phan (Johns Hopkins Carey Business School), Sarfraz Mian (State University of New York at Oswego), and Wadid Lamine (Toulouse Business School), all leading figures in the field, this book provides both a theoretical framework to conceptualise ideas and a practical guide to influence best practices and innovation in business incubators.