"California's Silicon Valley can stake an unrivaled claim as the world's most successful innovation region. The area has built an unprecedentedly brilliant ecosystem that has supported successful startups for decades now: Apple, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Uber, Airbnb, and the like have changed the way that we work, play, and live in the twenty-first century. One of the least well-known keys to the region's success is the growing number of 'accelerators' in Silicon Valley that help startups. Accelerators help by bringing a startup's product to the market, refining their business idea, developing their product, strengthening their team, designing a marketing strategy, attracting initial customers, and raising funds, all while coping with the unique hardships of the high-pressure startup life. Though short lived, accelerators act as a key behind-the-scenes early life support system. In Accelerators in Silicon Valley, Peter Ester explores in detail how these 'schools of startup entrepreneurship' operate to empower startups, and thus bring success to themselves. The book ultimately asks (and answers) one key question: What can we learn from how Silicon Valley accelerators help startups to become successful companies? Accelerators in Silicon Valley is a book for anyone who shares a fascination for building a successful startup in an ever-evolving economy"--Digital title page.

Includes bibliographical references.

Silicon Valley : the DNA of an entrepreneurial region. Europe and Silicon Valley ; Accelerators : pillars of Silicon Valley's startup support infrastructure ; Accelerators : their role, research, and results ; Methodology ; Overview -- Innovation and startups in Silicon Valley : an ecosystem approach. Modeling the Valley's ecosystem23 ; The model in more detail ; The meso level : capital, universities, government, and support networks ; The macro level : culture, culture, culture -- Unique selling points : accelerator philosophy, business model, and cooperation. Incubators versus accelerators ; Core philosophy and focus ; Business model ; External cooperation ; Conclusion -- Strong teams will win : how accelerators select and coach startup teams. Selection procedures ; Mentoring ; Conclusion -- Working on a dream a : Aaccelerator startup programs ; General accelerators ; Specialized accelerators ; Accelerating platforms ; Conclusion -- Accelerator darlings, challenges, and future plans. Success, failure, and showcases ; Challenges and future plans ; Conclusion -- What can Europe learn from Silicon Valley accelerators? Main findings and lessons ; Bridging Europe's innovation gap ; The Netherlands : StartupDelta; Accelerator decision tool : ten basic questions ; Final thoughts -- Notes -- Glossary -- References -- Appendix 1. Silicon Valley accelerator founders and chief executives interviewed -- Appendix 2. Questionnaire personal interviews Silicon Valley accelerators.

Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on April 18, 2018).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode

Master record variable field(s) change: 072