Abstract : Start-up incubators and accelerators provide structured support such as mentoring, seed funding, networking opportunities, and business training. While prior research discusses ecosystem benefits, empirical evidence linking specific support mechanisms to measurable innovation and survival outcomes remains limited in developing economies. This study examines the influence of incubator and accelerator support mechanisms on start-up innovation performance and survival rates in developing economies. Using primary data collected from 227 start-up founders, Multiple Regression Analysis was applied to assess the effect on innovation performance, while Cox Survival Analysis was conducted to evaluate venture survival probability. Results indicate that mentorship quality, funding access, and networking support significantly enhance innovation performance and reduce venture failure risk. The study provides empirical evidence supporting ecosystem-driven venture sustainability.
Cite : Saraswat, P. K. (2026). Impact of Incubator and Accelerator Support Mechanisms on Start-Up Innovation Performance and Survival Rates (1st ed., pp. 109-116). Noble Science Press. https://noblesciencepress.org/chapter/nspebgtrdbaip2026ch-12
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