Minimum Viable Accelerator: Planning, Starting and Improving Startup Accelerator Programs under a Lean Approach

Abstract

Startup accelerators positively influence their surrounding entrepreneurial ecosystem. This paper establishes a theoretical framework for a Minimum Viable Accelerator (MVA), a first-time accelerator program following lean principles. The MVA aims to improve the establishment and performance of accelerator programs. The resulting framework comprises six different stages, namely preparation, awareness, application, program, demo day and post demo day. The MVA framework focuses on improving validated learning through the implementation of Ries’ (2011) BML loop and the principle of structural questions. Simultaneously, MVAs reduce the amount of resources expended for setting up new programs through the involvement of the accelerator’s stakeholders.