Programas de aceleração de negócios e o processo de internalização de startups: Um estudo comparativo

Abstract

Conquering international markets has been one of the main objectives of most entrepreneurs. For startups, the purpose is no different, mainly due to its characteristics, such as rapid growth, innovation and scalability, which enhance this objective. In this context, the acceleration programs emerge as important mechanisms that provide targeted support at all stages of the internationalization process. Thus, the general objective of the study is to compare the internationalization process of startups that had the support of acceleration programs and the process of internationalization of startups that did not have the support of acceleration programs. In the research with a qualitative approach, the internationalization process of two Brazilian startups was analyzed, one that participated in an acceleration program to internationalize and the other that did not participate. The data were collected through online interviews with members of both startups. The results showed that the main differences are related to the preparation for entering the foreign market and the challenges faced in this process. At the end of the research, it was found that the startup that participated in the acceleration program had the most structured and assertive internationalization process, while the startup that did not participate in the acceleration program presented an unstructured internationalization process, with low predictability and greater need for further adjustments. It is concluded, therefore, that the participation of startups in acceleration programs is relevant to their internationalization process.