Walk|AUTH Customized Support for Business Maturity Cycles: Differentiating and Tailoring Support
About this good practice
Many accelerators treat all teams equally,regardless of their stage of development. However businesses at different stages such as ideation early growth,or scaling have vastly different needs.The one-size-fits-all approach often leads to inefficiencies and unmet expectations.The need for a more tailored approach led to the creation of an accelerator that differentiates between stages of business maturity and adapts its resources to meet the specific needs of each group.
Walk|AUTh Innovation Accelerator assesses the maturity stage of each startup or team and places them into the corresponding cycle.Each cycle is designed to address the unique challenges of that maturity level.For example,early-stage teams might focus on product validation and market research, while more mature startups concentrate on scaling,business development,and forming partnerships.Support is customized for each group,providing relevant mentorship,resources and training specific to their stage.The cycles are iterative, allowing businesses to progress to the next stage with the necessary tools.
The primary stakeholders include startups or entrepreneurial teams at various stages of development, mentors who provide tailored guidance, and investors looking for teams at specific maturity levels. The accelerator itself benefits by providing more efficient support and higher success rates for participants. Additionally, the local innovation ecosystem thrives as teams are better equipped to succeed and scale.
Resources needed
Walk | AUTh Innovation Accelerator is funded by research projects, which support the management of multiple cycles, mentorship programs, and specialized resources.
Evidence of success
Since the introduction of the practice,the accelerator has successfully placed over 60 teams into appropriate maturity cycles.
18 student teams participated in the 1st Cycle of Walk|AUTh Innovation Accelerator
8 mature teams fully utilized the incubation services
13 research teams participated in the 2nd Cycle of Walk|AUTh Innovation Accelerator
12 student teams participated in the 3rd Cycle of Walk|AUTh Innovation Accelerator
12 mature research teams joined the Lab-To-Market Bootcamp Program
Potential for learning or transfer
This approach is highly adaptable to other accelerators or regions, especially those with diverse startup ecosystems. The key success factors include a structured process for identifying business maturity stages, program flexibility, and a strong network of mentors and investors for each stage. Challenges in transferring the model may include ensuring sufficient resources for tailored cycles and accurately assessing each team’s stage.