How can we make #accelerators as effective as possible for startups and entrepreneurs?
There are over 1,300 accelerators across the globe today, in fact the growth in the number of accelerators, is accelerating - but has the accelerator model lost focus on the fundamental elements of support that #entrepreneurs need? Is there too much support put into raising venture capital rather than helping with product-market fit and market validation?
Oxentia's Head of Entrepreneurship Fabio Bianchi and former Oxentia colleague Tim Hart, now Director at Warwick Innovations, explore the statistics around the performance of accelerators overall; the support they provide for startups, and the future role they could play in broader economic development.
Timestamps
The role of accelerators in supporting entrepreneurs [00:01:10]
Discussion on the benefits and limitations of accelerators, their effectiveness in raising venture funding, and the need for more refined interventions.
The importance of local ecosystems in accelerators [00:04:01]
Exploration of the value of local accelerators in supporting entrepreneurs, the ease of interaction and support, and the limitations of international programmes
The impact of accelerators on investment and valuation [00:08:31]
Analysis of the increased funding and higher valuations for startups that go through accelerator programs, questioning the true impact and potential inflation of valuations.
Accelerators as Investment De-risking Programs [00:14:04]
Accelerators can serve as de-risking programs for investors, potentially leading to more solid investment opportunities.
Attracting Promising Opportunities vs Investment Strategy [00:15:11]
Investors may be attracted to promising opportunities that don't align with their investment strategy.
Accelerators' Role in Ecosystem Building [00:15:28]
Accelerators can help investors develop competitive portfolios and science parks build critical mass around a strategic theme or regional strength.
Fabio Bianchi, Head of Entrepreneurship, Oxentia and Tim Hart, Director, Warwick Innovations.
Contact us with any questions at ideaspod@oxentia.com