Login (DCU Staff Only)
Login (DCU Staff Only)

DORAS | DCU Research Repository

Explore open access research and scholarly works from DCU

Advanced Search

Fostering inclusivity in startup accelerators: a literature review and research agenda

MacNeil, Heatherjean and McAdam, Maura orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-2203-5485 (2025) Fostering inclusivity in startup accelerators: a literature review and research agenda. In: Breivik-Meyer, Marit, Lindvert, Marta, Callerstig, Anne-Charlott, Balkmar, Dag and Alsos, Gry Agnete, (eds.) Gendering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Routledge, New York. ISBN 9781003431060

Abstract
This chapter reviews extant accelerator literature in order to better understand how accelerators can be more inclusive. Accelerators are programmes designed to support early-stage startups through mentorship, funding, and resources to accelerate their growth and development over a fixed period. The review contributes to the entrepreneurial ecosystem literature by demonstrating that rather than being social and physical spaces where tenants and professional advisors interact in a neutral fashion, accelerators consist of gendered structures and processes that undermine gender equality, which may simultaneously intersect with other identity markers. Highlighting the lack of intersectional literature focused on accelerators, this chapter provides an agenda for inclusion which includes illustrative reflection and future research questions to elucidate the embedded biases and power relations that alienate new majority founders.
Metadata
Item Type:Book Section
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Inclusivity, startup, literature review
Subjects:Business > Knowledge management
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > DCU Business School
Publisher:Routledge
Official URL:https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.432...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:32738
Deposited On:03 Jun 2026 14:39 by Tam Nguyen . Last Modified 03 Jun 2026 14:39
Documents

Full text available as:

[thumbnail of 6_MacNeil and McAdam FINAL.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0
299kB
Downloads

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Archive Staff Only: edit this record