Understanding the Interplay Between Startups and Accelerators for Early-Stage Resource Mobilization

Startups, representing the engine of innovation and technology entrepreneurship, face the challenge of securing resources for sustainable growth while generating innovative solutions. Startup accelerators have rapidly emerged as prominent players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing resources, mentorship and training to startups. However, a deeper analysis of how startups approach accelerator programmes is often overlooked in the literature. Drawing on a multiple case study of 9 AI-based startups located in Italy that participated in different acceleration programmes, we explore how startups’ teams engage with acceleration programs. We find that early-stage startups engage with accelerators that focus on learning and validation mechanisms with the aim of searching for and accessing human capital, while they turn to accelerators that focus on access and reach mechanisms with the aim of pursuing market access and scaling objectives. The implication of these research could benefi t both theory and practice by enhancing the understanding of the interplay between startups and accelerator programs, and by offering insights to founders to align participation with the stage and goals of their startups.