Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Transnational Entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley’s Alluring Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Citation

Mawson S, Brown R & Peterson L (2015) Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Transnational Entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley’s Alluring Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Global Growth Agendas: Regions, Institutions and Sustainability, Regional Studies Association, Piacenza, Italy, 24.05.2015-27.05.2015. http://www.regionalstudies.org/uploads/documents/Academic_Programme_Final_Piacenza2.pdf

Abstract
Start-up accelerator programmes are now a prominent feature of the entrepreneurial landscape in Silicon Valley. This paper examines the motivations ambitious transnational entrepreneurs have for joining these burgeoning start-up accelerator programmes. Drawing on in-depth case studies of high-tech transnational entrepreneurs, the research found a strong ‘demand’ to join these programmes from a wide array of different nationalities. Through their involvement in these new accelerator programmes, transnational entrepreneurs are able to simultaneously participate in a myriad of multi-scaler networks within the accelerator itself, the Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial ecosystems and their home environment, which can benefit the entrepreneurs. The desire to network and work intimately with other dynamic, like-minded entrepreneurs is the main reason for joining these programmes. Rather than a permanent spatial relocation process, the migratory process can be conceptualised as a relational spatiotemporal process designed to aid the initial growth of their ventures. Policy implications emanating from the research and further research directions are outlined.

Keywords
Entrepreneurs; High Growth Firms; Accelerator Programmes; Migration; Silicon Valley