How do corporate accelerators assist corporates in collaborating with start-ups in the open innovation process?

Abstract

This thesis is a three-paper exploration of how corporate accelerators influence the collaborative dynamics between large corporations and start-ups to facilitate open innovation (OI). As accelerators become pivotal tools for corporations to foster innovation through start-up partnerships, there is a notable void in empirical studies addressing their roles, classification, the ways in which corporations participate in these programs, and what mechanisms they use to successfully navigate through challenges faced. Following a systematic literature review of accelerators, this thesis conducted a thorough qualitative analysis of LaunchLodge (pseudonym), one of the world’s largest accelerators, and NexaFlow (pseudonym), a leading corporate collaborating with start-ups through the corporate acceleration process, gathering data through observations, interviews, and video recordings of professional activities and events.

Together, these three articles contribute to the theorisation of the increasingly critical role that accelerators play in helping corporates engage in OI with start-ups. Article one provides a comprehensive overview of the status of research in this space and provides guidance on theoretical gaps that could be investigated further by researchers. Article two examines one of the research gaps identified in article one, in exploring the nuanced roles that corporate accelerators play as specialised intermediaries in the OI process and in identifying four different archetypes of corporate accelerators. Article three explores a second gap in the research in relation to how corporate middle managers utilise framing in corporate acceleration to legitimise this OI process.

Overall, this thesis provides valuable theoretical insights and a practical toolkit for corporates and start-ups alike in understanding the role that corporate accelerators play as specialised OI intermediaries to facilitate corporate–start-up collaboration.