Designing a Specialized Corporate Accelerator Framework for Iran’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Entrepreneurship, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.

2 Associate Prof., Department of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.

3 Associate Prof., Department of Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jibm.2024.378591.4809

Abstract

Objective
Corporate accelerators are among the critical drivers in enhancing entrepreneurial ecosystems and fostering sustainable economic development. Despite the increasing attention they have received in recent years from organizations and businesses, there remain significant gaps in understanding what corporate acceleration processes entail, why they are important, and how they function. Concurrently, organizations and firms are increasingly leveraging corporate accelerators to internalize opportunities presented by external startups. The primary hypothesis of this research is that successful global models of specialized corporate accelerators exist and that, based on these models, a contextually appropriate acceleration framework can be developed for Iran’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Accordingly, this study aims to design a specialized corporate acceleration process tailored to the unique dynamics of entrepreneurship in Iran. The central research question is: What should be the framework and process of specialized corporate acceleration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Iran?
 
Methodology
This study adopts a qualitative, multiple-case study approach, supported by semi-structured interviews with 20 founders, managers, and mentors of corporate accelerators in Iran. Simultaneously, successful global acceleration models and programs were examined using benchmarking techniques to identify best practices, structures, and key operational mechanisms. The collected data were then categorized, and essential components were extracted to formulate a final framework for a specialized corporate accelerator suited to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Iran. The proposed model encompasses 26 key indicators.
 
Findings
The primary research gap addressed in this study is the identification of key components contributing to successful acceleration processes in specialized corporate accelerators. The first major finding involves an analysis of 26 indicators identified through interviews with founders, managers, and mentors. These indicators were then evaluated to construct a tailored acceleration model aligned with the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Iran. Key findings include the analysis of global best practices in corporate acceleration, the delineation of effective acceleration processes, and the development of a proposed framework for a specialized corporate accelerator customized for the national context.
 
Conclusion
Given the growing importance of corporate accelerators as key drivers of sustainable economic development and integral components of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this topic holds particular significance, especially in the Iranian context, where many aspects remain underexplored. This study concludes that although global models and processes of corporate acceleration exhibit considerable similarities, the design of specialized accelerators must be adapted to the specific entrepreneurial landscape of each country. While many core indicators are shared among successful global accelerators, their application may vary in developing countries like Iran. Furthermore, insights from global case studies indicate that there is substantial untapped potential in this field, especially within Iran, highlighting the need for further development and contextualized implementation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Journal of Business Management
Volume 17, Issue 3
2025
Pages 228-249

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