Start-up accelerator : state of the art and future directions

Abstract

PURPOSE: The paper presents a review of the literature concerning start-up accelerators and a classification of related research until August 2021.

APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: While elaborating the classification, the authors coded works according to the type of accelerator and implemented acceleration program. Furthermore, the paper identifies the countries, research bodies and authors who focus on research on the functioning of accelerators. The authors present how various accelerator forms operate and how they perform.

FINDINGS: The paper systematizes knowledge related to start-up accelerators available in the Scopus base and suggests directions for future research.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Recently a clear phenomenon is shown that is the development of a start-up ecosystem, in particular creation and professionalization of the new form of organisation that is a start-up accelerator. This entity acts as a bridge between start-ups and corporations and big enterprises, promoting success of both sides – conclusion of business contracts. More start-ups and corporations decide to collaborate with accelerators that, with their acceleration programs involving big companies, support them both. By monitoring the corporate-start-up collaboration, accelerators actively promote both parties, also in terms of generating necessary innovations to support, for instance, production, sales or service processes in big companies. An evergrowing number of accelerators and accelerator programs worldwide translates into more interest in research in this field.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Despite the increasing research trend related to start-up accelerators, no precise research classification has been available to date.