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Learning to ride the high growth “Rollercoaster”: the role of publicly funded business accelerator programmes

Author

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  • Ross Brown

    (University of St Andrews)

  • Rachael Rees-Jones

    (University of South Wales)

Abstract

High growth firms (HGFs) are a vital determinant of regional economic competitiveness. This paper examines the effectiveness of a Welsh publicly funded business accelerator programme (BAP) designed to nurture HGFs via relational support measures. The paper teases out both the support requirements sought by high growth entrepreneurs, together with the perceived effectiveness of the programme’s offering. Hitherto, the literature has been silent in terms of the mental well-being and psychological resilience of founders of HGFs. This study discovered how mental well-being and psychological resilience of entrepreneurs was very acutely and detrimentally affected when experiencing periods of rapid firm growth. The research also uncovered a disconnect between the support needs of HGFs and those provided by BAPs. To help develop the capabilities and durability of entrepreneurs, “growth readiness” coaching together with psychological resilience training seem appropriate policy measures to help entrepreneurs successfully navigate turbulent episodes of high growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Ross Brown & Rachael Rees-Jones, 2025. "Learning to ride the high growth “Rollercoaster”: the role of publicly funded business accelerator programmes," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 511-530, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:64:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-024-00917-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-024-00917-z
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    High growth firms; Business accelerator programmes; Mental health; Public policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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