International linkages between entrepreneurial ecosystems: understanding the role of corporate accelerators

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) literature has typically focused on the internal dynamics between actors and factors within specific territories, ignoring potential exogenous linkages. This paper examines the potential interconnections between EEs using corporate accelerators (CAs) as focus. CAs are prominent actors connecting startups to large firms, investors, universities, and governments in regional EEs. Although CAs are often set up in multiple locations, their potential role in creating linkages between distant EEs has yet to be investigated. This study adopts an exploratory qualitative approach based on 43 semi-structured interviews and abundant archival data from three prominent CAs headquartered in Europe, with locations in various EEs around the world. This study uncovers three main drivers (internationalization of startups, expansion of the sourcing space, and exchange of best practices), together with five key mechanisms CAs use for fostering global linkages between EEs. In addition, adopting a theory-building perspective, this research offers several propositions to advance scholars’ understanding of EEs’ exogenous linkages formation and the relationship between motives, mechanisms, and spatial distribution. The findings highlight the role of multinational enterprises, through their CAs, in supporting EE development.