Everywhere you look nowadays there seems to be an accelerator. Cities, universities, investors and even countries are aggressively embracing the concept of startup accelerators as a means of positioning themselves as friendly to innovation and entrepreneurship. They are viewed as a quick and easy way to attract young people, support local economic development, and connect people to the global economy. And because there are no barriers to entry, almost anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and an open work space can call themselves an accelerator. The results have been uneven, and until recently, unmeasured.
