Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acceleration Programs within the Federal Program 'University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform'

Author in this paper researched the effectiveness of acceleration programs within the framework of the federal project “Platform for University Technological Entrepreneurship" (PUTE). The purpose of the work was to analyze the content and results of the acceleration programs launched within the framework of the federal project, as well as to identify problems that may arise in the process of their implementation while also formulating recommendations to overcome them. Amongst the tasks of this work is necessary to highlight: consideration of Russian and global acceleration programs, identification of advantages and disadvantages of accelerators within the PUTE, comparing them with other examples of accelerators. Also author interviewed accelerator participants and summarized their opinions to make recommendations for improving these acceleration programs. Author used as parts of the methodology comparative method, statistical analysis, and sociological methods of a qualitative strategy. It has been established that most of the acceleration programs meet the global definition of an accelerator only partially, being an investment program but not providing the full range of services for the transition of technology from the stage of an idea or prototype to the stage of commercial development. It was also found that the most common obstacles that prevent this from being done are the lack of contacts between representatives of higher educational institutions with entrepreneurs, the inability to involve mentors in the project due to their small number, as well as the lack of entrepreneurial experience amongst students. It is necessary to note the accessibility of getting into the program, as well as the high probability of receiving investments as advantages of Russian accelerators. Author made following recommendations: it is necessary to divide acceleration programs into accelerators for experienced entrepreneurs and for beginners, introduceadditional practical and training formats into programs, increase the number of employees in programs with the smallest team, create accelerator diagnostic systems and post-acceleration support for the most successful startups, as well as include the practice of sharing experience with other entrepreneurs.