Análise de transferência de conhecimento das aceleradoras para as startups: um estudo comparativo de casos

Abstract

The context in which startups develop requires them to mature quickly in order to deliver solutions to the market. Acceleration programs are options for fostering this process, in which accelerators play the role of promoting the transfer of knowledge from accelerators to startups, the main catalyst in the development of products and services. In order to understand this flow of knowledge and its impact on the development of new technologies, this dissertation set out to investigate the factors that influence the transfer of knowledge and, consequently, the growth of startups. With the aim of analyzing how knowledge is transferred from accelerators to accelerated startups in Belo Horizonte's innovation ecosystem, this dissertation involved two accelerators, one of which is a corporate accelerator with ties to industry and the other a public accelerator associated with the government of Minas Gerais. Initially, a bibliographical survey was carried out on the subject, which formed the basis of the theoretical framework and the analysis of the results. The factors analysed include the disseminative capacity of the source, addressing the "codification and communication of knowledge" and "organizational routines and processes"; the absorptive capacity of the receiver, considering categories such as "knowledge, skills, attitudes" and the "quality of the relationship", which is a category present in both factors. Methodologically, the research was qualitative and consisted of a comparative case study. In this context, semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees/acceleration agents from the chosen accelerators and entrepreneurs from the startups that went through the acceleration process in 2021. The results show that the level of maturity of the startups recruited to take part in the acceleration programs interferes with their success and is preponderant for a transfer of knowledge that makes a difference in the development of the startups. Another aspect observed was the trust built through the quality of the relationship established between the parties, together with the credibility of the accelerators associated with renowned institutions - it was found that the more structured the accelerators' processes and routines are, the better the startups will understand and absorb the knowledge transferred. It was also found that, among the methodologies adopted, the mechanisms for transferring knowledge that are similar between the two accelerators are diagnostics, such as individual mentoring, checkpoints, workshops, training and the promotion of events that provide contact with specialists and networking. However, some specific features were identified, such as Founder's Day and Speed Dating at the corporate accelerator and an internal competition at the public accelerator. It should be noted that the structured methodology applied to startups with similar levels of maturity was an important factor in the acceleration programs. The fact that this methodology was only identified in this study in the corporate accelerator does not mean that it cannot be adopted in other types of accelerators. In fact, in view of the best results, it could be recommended that this practice be adopted in any acceleration program, which would enable startups to leverage their businesses more quickly, adding value and bringing returns to the players involved in the innovation ecosystem.