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Apoio na implementação do Tec Launcher Acceleration: uma análise exploratória das motivações e expectativas das Startups em programas de aceleração
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| 2.09 MB | Adobe PDF |
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Abstract(s)
Este relatório sintetiza os resultados do estágio realizado na Algarve STP, no âmbito do programa Tec Launcher Acceleration. A experiência proporcionou uma imersão prática no funcionamento do programa, permitindo também compreender os factores que influenciam a adesão das empresas e analisar o eficácia das atividades desenvolvidas. O estágio inspirou-se na abordagem metodológica investigação-ação, combinando o desenvolvimento de várias tarefas essenciais à implementação do programa com a realização de um questionário às empresas participantes sobre suas motivações e expectativas. Os resultados da análise estatística sugerem que as principais motivações das empresas para participar no programa incluíram o acesso a mentoria especializada e feedback estratégico sobre o modelo de negócios. Além disso, as startups destacaram a importância do suporte na preparação para investimentos, enquanto o networking também foi identificado como um factor essencial. Durante a implementação do programa de aceleração, a gestão do Tec Launcher Acceleration enfrentou desafios significativos, como a variação no nível de participação das empresas, as diferenças na maturidade das startups e a necessidade de um suporte para garantir a continuidade do crescimento após a aceleração. Dito isto, a segmentação das empresas conforme o seu nível de maturidade, a exploração de mecanismos para incentivar maior participação e a estruturação de um suporte pós-aceleração são aspetos essenciais para otimizar os programas de aceleração. O conhecimento adquirido neste estágio contribuiu para a melhoria do Tec Launcher Acceleration e pode ser aplicado em iniciativas futuras de apoio ao empreendedorismo e inovação.
Support initiatives are essential elements for fostering a favorable environment for innovation. These initiatives play a key role in connecting the various actors within the innovation ecosystem and providing the necessary resources for entrepreneurial initiatives to thrive. Business accelerators, which emerged in the early 2000s, offer intensive, short-term support that includes mentoring, networking opportunities, access to investors, and often small financial contributions in exchange for equity. They are recognized for their significant impact on the creation and growth of startups, particularly in their early stages, by providing a structured environment that supports product and market validation. Acceleration programs play a central role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, acting as a key catalyst for the structuring and scaling of start-ups within a growing ecosystem that increasingly drives economic and technological development. This internship report documents the planning and implementation of the Tec Launcher Acceleration Program, developed by Algarve STP, which aims to support regional startups in consolidating their business models, fostering innovation, and facilitating internationalization. To support the execution of the program, a mixed-method approach was adopted, combining action research with statistical analysis. The action research component enabled active participation in the program’s activities, including event planning and organization, communication with startups, and facilitation of networking opportunities. In parallel, a survey was conducted to assess the motivations and expectations of participating startups, followed by statistical analyses to identify key patterns among the responses. The internship provided the opportunity to contribute directly to the delivery of the Tec Launcher program while gaining insights into the expectations and challenges faced by startups in an acceleration context. Based on this experience, a set of recommendations is proposed to improve the program’s effectiveness: tailoring mentoring to the development stage of each startup, establishing a post-program follow-up strategy, and reinforcing strategic partnerships to improve access to funding and market opportunities. v These measures can enhance the program’s impact and further strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem. The statistical analysis highlighted four core dimensions underlying startups’ expectations: (1) market expansion and consolidation, (2) access to funding and specialized support, (3) skills development and credibility reinforcement, and (4) personalized strategic guidance. These results underscore the importance of flexibility in acceleration programs, which should adapt to the specific needs of startups at different stages. The survey results further revealed the main motivations for participation: 93.3% of startups valued access to specialized mentoring and strategic feedback on their business models; 80% emphasized investment readiness and financing opportunities; 80% also identified networking as essential; 73.3% highlighted access to new markets; and 66.6% valued increased visibility. These findings confirm the program’s relevance in delivering strategic support and expanding opportunities for startups. Several challenges were identified during the internship, notably the wide variation in the maturity levels of participating startups. Early-stage companies often struggled to keep pace with the program, whereas more advanced startups required specialized mentoring, particularly in scaling and investment readiness. The absence of structured post-acceleration support also emerged as a critical gap, with many startups anticipating difficulties in maintaining momentum after the program's conclusion. The internship contributed to the improvement of the Tec Launcher Acceleration Program, and the report offers relevant insights into the management of acceleration programs. The knowledge gained may be applied to new innovation support initiatives, particularly in the Algarve, and to the development of strategies aimed at assisting startups in their growth and internationalization processes.
Support initiatives are essential elements for fostering a favorable environment for innovation. These initiatives play a key role in connecting the various actors within the innovation ecosystem and providing the necessary resources for entrepreneurial initiatives to thrive. Business accelerators, which emerged in the early 2000s, offer intensive, short-term support that includes mentoring, networking opportunities, access to investors, and often small financial contributions in exchange for equity. They are recognized for their significant impact on the creation and growth of startups, particularly in their early stages, by providing a structured environment that supports product and market validation. Acceleration programs play a central role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, acting as a key catalyst for the structuring and scaling of start-ups within a growing ecosystem that increasingly drives economic and technological development. This internship report documents the planning and implementation of the Tec Launcher Acceleration Program, developed by Algarve STP, which aims to support regional startups in consolidating their business models, fostering innovation, and facilitating internationalization. To support the execution of the program, a mixed-method approach was adopted, combining action research with statistical analysis. The action research component enabled active participation in the program’s activities, including event planning and organization, communication with startups, and facilitation of networking opportunities. In parallel, a survey was conducted to assess the motivations and expectations of participating startups, followed by statistical analyses to identify key patterns among the responses. The internship provided the opportunity to contribute directly to the delivery of the Tec Launcher program while gaining insights into the expectations and challenges faced by startups in an acceleration context. Based on this experience, a set of recommendations is proposed to improve the program’s effectiveness: tailoring mentoring to the development stage of each startup, establishing a post-program follow-up strategy, and reinforcing strategic partnerships to improve access to funding and market opportunities. v These measures can enhance the program’s impact and further strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem. The statistical analysis highlighted four core dimensions underlying startups’ expectations: (1) market expansion and consolidation, (2) access to funding and specialized support, (3) skills development and credibility reinforcement, and (4) personalized strategic guidance. These results underscore the importance of flexibility in acceleration programs, which should adapt to the specific needs of startups at different stages. The survey results further revealed the main motivations for participation: 93.3% of startups valued access to specialized mentoring and strategic feedback on their business models; 80% emphasized investment readiness and financing opportunities; 80% also identified networking as essential; 73.3% highlighted access to new markets; and 66.6% valued increased visibility. These findings confirm the program’s relevance in delivering strategic support and expanding opportunities for startups. Several challenges were identified during the internship, notably the wide variation in the maturity levels of participating startups. Early-stage companies often struggled to keep pace with the program, whereas more advanced startups required specialized mentoring, particularly in scaling and investment readiness. The absence of structured post-acceleration support also emerged as a critical gap, with many startups anticipating difficulties in maintaining momentum after the program's conclusion. The internship contributed to the improvement of the Tec Launcher Acceleration Program, and the report offers relevant insights into the management of acceleration programs. The knowledge gained may be applied to new innovation support initiatives, particularly in the Algarve, and to the development of strategies aimed at assisting startups in their growth and internationalization processes.
Description
Keywords
Aceleração Empreendedorismo Financiamento Inovação Mentoria Networking Startups