Accelerators competition, tools or growth engines for STP and AI

In this paper, the authors give a short overview of the history of accelerators, analyze the typography of the accelerators (and other players in the new start-up ecosystem) as well as their key success factors.Additionally, this paper develops some ideas about the future relevance of accelerators for STP/AI. Finally,it summarizes the key choices that STP/AI management has to make in order to design the best approachtowards distinctive acceleration programmes2. Accelerators have become a popular tool to provide start-ups with a high density of professional services and invaluable resources. These schemes, which create new levels of attractiveness for entrepreneurs, but also for large corporates and venture capitalists, are rapidly gaining acceptance and popularity all over the world.\n\nAccelerators, if well run, bundle many of the same stakeholders, who represent the ecosystem of successful STP/AI: High-tech companies, investors, business angels, application-oriented scientists and entrepreneurial talent. Also, their impact on young entrepreneurs and regions, in general, if measurable yet, is tangible and noteworthy. As many acceleration programmes are becoming standard for new company creation, STP/AI cannot afford to overlook this fascinating methodology. Ultimately, the authors argue that STP/AI, engaging with accelerators, may even propel their own development by the same speed as start-ups do.