Accelerators in Silicon Valley : building successful startups : searching for the next big thing

This book describes how accelerators, the 'schools of startup entrepreneurship', help startups to become successful companies in Silicon Valley, the world's most successful innovation region. Cover 1 Table of Contents 8 Foreword 10 Acknowledgements 12 The Interviewees and their Accelerators 16 1 Silicon Valley 22 The DNA of an Entrepreneurial Region 22 Introduction 22 Europe and Silicon Valley 23 Accelerators: Pillars of Silicon Valley’s startup support infrastructure 26 Accelerators: their role, research, and results 29 Methodology 33 Overview 35 2 Innovation and Startups in Silicon Valley 38 An Ecosystem Approach 38 Modeling the Valley’s ecosystem23 38 The model in more detail 41 The micro level: Product, people, and pivot 41 The meso level: Capital, universities, government, and support networks 48 The macro level: Culture, culture, culture 59 3 Unique Selling Points 64 Accelerator Philosophy, Business Model, and Cooperation 64 Incubators versus accelerators 64 Core philosophy and focus 66 Business model 74 External cooperation 83 Conclusion 88 4 Strong Teams Will Win 90 How Accelerators Select and Coach Startup Teams 90 Selection procedures 90 Mentoring 98 Conclusion 103 5 Working on a Dream 106 Accelerator Startup Programs 106 General accelerators 106 Specialized accelerators 111 Accelerating platforms 115 Conclusion 117 6 Accelerator Darlings, Challenges, and Future Plans 120 Success, failure, and showcases 120 Challenges and future plans 127 Conclusion 135 7 What Can Europe Learn From Silicon Valley Accelerators? 138 Main findings and lessons 138 Bridging Europe’s innovation gap 143 The Netherlands: StartupDelta 146 Accelerator decision tool: Ten basic questions 148 Final thoughts 152 Notes 154 Glossary 160 References 166 Appendix 1 172 Silicon Valley Accelerator Founders & Chief Executives Interviewed 172 Appendix 2 174 Questionnaire Personal Interviews Silicon Valley Accelerators 174 "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 Silicon Valley is the world's most successful innovation region. Apple, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Uber, and Airbnb changed our way of living. Silicon Valley has built a brilliant ecosystem that supports startups. Its entrepreneurial mindset fosters risk-taking, thinking big, and sharing. A fast growing number of accelerators in Silicon Valley help startups by bringing their product to the market, refining their business idea, developing their product, strengthening their team, designing a marketing strategy, getting first customers and traction, raising funds, and coping with the hardships of startup life. In Accelerators in Silicon Valley Peter Ester describes how these 'schools of startup entrepreneurship' operate and empower startups. What can we learn from how Silicon Valley accelerators help startups to become successful companies? This book gives the answer. Accelerators in Silicon Valley is a book for those who share a fascination for building the new startup economy. In this book Silicon Valley expert Peter Ester describes how these 'schools of startup entrepreneurship' operate and how they empower startups. He interviewed over twenty Silicon Valley accelerators. They are analyzed in terms of mission, selection policy, technology focus, target groups, program features, funding, mentoring and training, and startup showcases. What can Europe and other regions and countries learn from how Silicon Valley accelerators help startups to become successful companies? This book gives the answer. Accelerators in Silicon Valley is a book for entrepreneurs, startup founders, policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and students who share a fascination for building the new startup economy.

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