Published at Wednesday, November 8, 2023 7:58 AM in the community ACCELERO
Incubators & Accelerators: Catalysts for Change in Local Innovation Ecosystems
Introduction
The European Union stands as a global leader in innovation and research, but the performance metrics indicate a diverse landscape with significant discrepancies among member states. ACCELERO aims to fill this gap by enhancing the attractiveness of less advanced innovation ecosystems in Europe. It serves as a nexus to co-design programmes and activities between established and emerging innovation hubs.
The European Innovation Landscape: A Mixed Bag
Europe’s innovation landscape is a tale of two continents, so to speak. While cities like Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam dominate the global innovation indexes, the majority of member states lag as moderate or emerging innovators. ACCELERO aims to change this narrative by fostering a robust support network for entrepreneurship, particularly in these less advanced ecosystems.
ACCELERO's Strategic Approach
ACCELERO focuses on local ecosystem development by collaborating with business acceleration entities situated in 'modest' and 'moderate' innovation ecosystems, as well as established innovation hubs. Through this collaborative approach, ACCELERO strives to elevate the quality of business acceleration services and extend the reach of local networks.
The Role of Incubators and Accelerators
In this milieu, incubators and accelerators play a pivotal role. They are essential to ACCELERO’s strategy of boosting local startup ecosystems. By providing early-stage startups with essential resources, these platforms act as critical support systems that help businesses scale and adapt to rapid technological changes.
Quadruple Helix Logic in Local Ecosystems
In line with the Quadruple Helix model, ACCELERO aims to include public actors, academia, business-side startups, entrepreneurs, Business Support Organisations (BSOs), and society in a unified process. This broad coalition ensures that the local startup ecosystem is not just robust but also agile, adaptive, and globally connected.
Conclusion
ACCELERO’s strategy goes beyond mere incubation and acceleration. It seeks to provide a holistic ecosystem where startups can thrive without relocating to mainstream European hubs. By focusing on less advanced innovation ecosystems, ACCELERO not only supports startups but also contributes to the development of balanced business activities across Europe.
