• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.13-27
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether startup CEOs' self-efficacy and hope have a mediating effect on the relationship between satisfaction with an acceleration program and business performance. While the impact of acceleration programs on business performance has been validated through various studies, this research aims to examine whether differences in business performance, despite participating in the same program, are attributable to the characteristics of the participants. To this end, satisfaction with the acceleration program was set as the independent variable, business performance (financial performance and non-financial performance) as the dependent variable, and self-efficacy and hope among positive psychological capital as the mediating variables. A survey was conducted on startup CEOs who participated in acceleration programs offered by financial public institutions, specifically the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Industrial Bank of Korea, in order to minimize the influence of differences in accelerator competence and program quality. The empirical analysis results indicate that satisfaction with the acceleration program has a positive effect on both the financial and non-financial performance of startups, and hope serves as a mediating factor in this relationship. This study suggests that to improve business performance of startups, policy efforts are needed to activate and enhance the roles of domestic accelerators. Additionally, it proposes that in order to maximize the effectiveness of acceleration programs, detailed components of these programs should be designed to elevate the participants' level of hope.