Corporate accelerators: design and startup performance

Abstract Corporate accelerators (CAs) have emerged as a key component of entrepreneurship ecosystems, offering startups corporate guidance, industry connections, and resources for accelerated venture creation. Although their proliferation is evident, we still know little about the value they produce across different contexts. This study investigates organizational setup program design 15 CAs in Germany using unique hand-collected dataset 223 alumni startups. Our findings reveal tradeoff: Specialized integrated programs positively impact startups’ speed to market growth, while specialization rising control may hinder follow-up capital financing. research contributes our understanding startup acceleration process provides insights accelerator managers alike. Startups can use these identify most suitable CA needs. Program designers gain into strategic orientation that acceleration.