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Start-up factories, transnational entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystems: unpacking the lure of start-up accelerator programmes

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  • Brown, Ross
  • Mawson, Suzanne
  • Lee, Neil

Abstract

This paper examines the role of accelerator programmes in promoting transnational entrepreneurship. Designed to assist the growth of start-ups by providing seed finance and structured entrepreneurship support, these programmes are now a prominent feature in many entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world. Drawing on in-depth qualitative evidence focused on one particular programme, the paper shows accelerators play an important intermediary or ‘brokerage mechanism’ providing start-ups with enhanced relational connections and networks. Transnational entrepreneurs attracted to these programmes are highly focused on exploiting these networks whilst maintaining multiple levels of embeddedness in various contexts to maximize the opportunities afforded by accelerators. While many governments are attempting to replicate accelerators programmes within the public sector, the paper concludes that such attempts may prove problematic within weaker entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, Ross & Mawson, Suzanne & Lee, Neil, 2019. "Start-up factories, transnational entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystems: unpacking the lure of start-up accelerator programmes," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 100107, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:100107
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Kramer & Dominik K. Kanbach, 2023. "Relationship-building in the post-acceleration phase of corporate accelerators: empirical evidence from Germany," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 755-779, June.
    2. Rocha, Augusto & Brown, Ross & Mawson, Suzanne, 2021. "Capturing conversations in entrepreneurial ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
    3. Solodoha, Eliran & Rosenzweig, Stav & Harel, Shai, 2023. "Incentivizing angels to invest in start-ups: Evidence from a natural experiment," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    4. Ana Venâncio & João Jorge, 2022. "The role of accelerator programmes on the capital structure of start-ups," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 1143-1167, October.
    5. Nasrin Sultana & Ekaterina Turkina, 2023. "Collaboration for Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem: The Role of Intermediaries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Siaw, Christopher Agyapong & Sarpong, David, 2021. "Dynamic exchange capabilities for value co-creation in ecosystems," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 493-506.
    7. Kuebart, Andreas, 2022. "Open creative labs as functional infrastructure for entrepreneurial ecosystems: Using sequence analysis to explore tempo-spatial trajectories of startups in Berlin," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(9).
    8. Michał Bańka & Mariusz Salwin & Maria Kukurba & Szymon Rychlik & Joanna Kłos & Monika Sychowicz, 2022. "Start-Up Accelerators and Their Impact on Sustainability: Literature Analysis and Case Studies from the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-30, October.
    9. Emil Lucian Crișan & Irina Iulia Salanță & Ioana Natalia Beleiu & Ovidiu Niculae Bordean & Raluca Bunduchi, 2021. "A systematic literature review on accelerators," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 62-89, February.
    10. Michał Bańka & Mariusz Salwin & Roman Tylżanowski & Ireneusz Miciuła & Monika Sychowicz & Norbert Chmiel & Adrian Kopytowski, 2023. "Start-Up Accelerators and Their Impact on Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility of the Manager," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-32, May.
    11. Navid Mohammadi & Shaghayegh Sakhteh, 2023. "Start-up accelerator value chain: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 661-694, June.
    12. Bańka Michał & Salwin Mariusz & Waszkiewicz Aneta Ewa & Rychlik Szymon & Kukurba Maria, 2022. "Startup Accelerators," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 58(1), pages 80-118, March.
    13. Wooseung Lee & Boyoung Kim, 2019. "Business Sustainability of Start-Ups Based on Government Support: An Empirical Study of Korean Start-Ups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    14. Mariana Pita & Joana Costa & António Carrizo Moreira, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Entrepreneurial Initiative: Building a Multi-Country Taxonomy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, April.
    15. Jana Schmutzler & Veneta Andonova & Jonathan Perez-Lopez, 2021. "The role of diaspora in opportunity-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems: A mixed-methods study of Balkan economies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 693-729, June.
    16. Michal Banka & Mariusz Salwin & Dariusz Masłowski & Szymon Rychlik & Maria Kukurba, 2022. "Start-up Accelerator: State of the Art and Future Directions," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 477-510.
    17. Rocha, Augusto & Brown, Ross & Mawson, Suzanne, 2022. "Reprint of: Capturing conversations in entrepreneurial ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(9).
    18. Hannigan, Timothy R. & Briggs, Anthony R. & Valadao, Rodrigo & Seidel, Marc-David L. & Jennings, P. Devereaux, 2022. "A new tool for policymakers: Mapping cultural possibilities in an emerging AI entrepreneurial ecosystem," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(9).
    19. Carson Duan & Bernice Kotey & Kamaljeet Sandhu, 2022. "Towards an Analytical Framework of Dual Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Research Agenda for Transnational Immigrant Entrepreneurship," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 473-497, June.
    20. Tanweer, Syeda Zainab & Shah, Muhammad Saud & Nabi, Agha Ammad & Mukhi, Aftab Ali & Ahad, Muhammad, 2023. "Accelerating Growth: Unleashing the Power of Accelerator Programs as Strategic Investments for Startups in Pakistan," MPRA Paper 117474, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 28 May 2023.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transnational Entrepreneurs; Public Policy; Accelerators; Entrepreneurial Ecosystems; Networks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance

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